(16709) Auratian Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 29 September 1995 by J. Ticha at Klet.
Auratian has been the patron saint of Ceske Budejovice since 1670. According to legend, he was a Roman soldier living in the 2nd or 3rd century, executed for his Christian faith. Originally buried in the Calixt catacombs in Rome, his remains were transferred to Bohemia in 1634. Named on the 750th anniversary of the town.Naming citation (MPC batch dated 2015-06-02), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Auratian is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Auratian is 2.70 au from the Sun and 1.73 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 16709 |
| Provisional designation | 1995 SH5 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 4.61 km (#11,418 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.275 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.07 |
| Orbital period | 5.17 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.99 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.69 – 3.29 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.100 |
| Inclination | 0.673° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.69 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.