(4104) Alu Main-belt Asteroid

Discovered on 5 March 1989 by E. F. Helin at Palomar.

Named for Jeff Alu, a talented musician and composer, as well as a participant in the Palomar Planet Crossing Asteroid Survey. He has shared the long cold winter nights at Palomar and the pleasure of discovery. Jeff has himself found several near-Earth asteroids, as well as main-belt objects. This name is endorsed by Brian P. Roman, a fellow PCAS member and good friend.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 5, #28, 5), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL

Where Alu is today

Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Alu is 2.29 au from the Sun and 2.85 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.

Facts

Number	4104
Provisional designation	1989 ED
Orbit class	Main-belt Asteroid
Diameter	8.60 km (#6,072 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size)
Albedo	0.239
Rotation period	6.00 hours
Absolute magnitude (H)	12.48
Orbital period	4.05 years
Semi-major axis	2.54 au
Perihelion – aphelion	2.27 – 2.82 au
Eccentricity	0.108
Inclination	15.7°
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 Jeff

All asteroids named after someone called Jeff

Also discovered on 5 March 1989

More named asteroids discovered by E. F. Helin

All 267

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