(9936) Al-Biruni Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 8 August 1986 by Elst, E. W., Ivanova, V. G. at Smolyan.
The Persian scientist Al-Biruni (973-1048) made important contributions to anthropology, mathematics and astronomy. He developed methods for the summation of series, for solving algebraic equations and for the triangulation of distances on the earth's surface.Naming citation (20070926/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Al-Biruni is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Al-Biruni is 3.64 au from the Sun and 4.15 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 9936 |
| Provisional designation | 1986 PN4 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 24.2 km (#1,757 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.0630 |
| Rotation period | 10.7 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 12.26 |
| Orbital period | 5.43 years |
| Semi-major axis | 3.09 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.52 – 3.66 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.185 |
| Inclination | 15.4° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.51 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.