(20090) Albin Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 10 August 1994 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Thomas Albin (b. 1990) is a German astronomer at the Institute of Space Systems, University of Stuttgart. He has worked on cosmic dust dynamics for space missions by improving dust models for the Rosetta Philae Lander and Cassini’s Cosmic Dust Analyzer. His works have also improved detection algorithms for Near-Earth Objects during his time at ESTEC.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 6, #11, 9), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Albin is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Albin is 3.07 au from the Sun and 2.46 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 20090 |
| Provisional designation | 1994 PN16 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 4.00 km (#12,726 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.303 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.22 |
| Orbital period | 4.42 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.69 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.28 – 3.11 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.153 |
| Inclination | 12.1° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.30 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Thomas
- (4008) Corbin
- (4739) Tomahrens
- (4830) Thomascooley
- (4897) Tomhamilton
- (5548) Thosharriot
- (6019) Telford
- (6361) Koppel
- (8236) Gainsborough
- (8382) Mann
- (8793) Thomasmuller
- (9460) McGlynn
- (9536) Statler
All asteroids named after someone called Thomas
Also discovered on 10 August 1994
- (6836) Paranal
- (7661) Reincken
- (7960) Condorcet
- (8205) Van Dijck
- (8890) Montaigne
- (9079) Gesner
- (9205) Eddywally
- (9392) Cavaillon
- (9393) Apta
- (9394) Manosque
- (9395) Saint Michel
- (9638) Fuchs