(46392) Bertola Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 5 January 2002 by Asiago-DLR Asteroid Survey at Cima Ekar.
Francesco Bertola (b. 1937) is professor of astrophysics and director of the astronomy department at Padua University. An expert in galactic structure and dynamics, in 1962 he discovered a new type of supernova, now known as type Ib. He has also written several books on the history of astronomy.Naming citation (20070106/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Bertola is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Bertola is 2.88 au from the Sun and 1.98 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 46392 |
| Provisional designation | 2002 AO6 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 2.71 km (#15,839 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.167 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 15.18 |
| Orbital period | 3.70 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.39 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.88 – 2.91 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.214 |
| Inclination | 9.67° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.903 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Francesco
- (6892) Lana
- (7640) Marzari
- (7918) Berrilli
- (8266) Bertelli
- (9934) Caccioppoli
- (10875) Veracini
- (12722) Petrarca
- (15460) Manca
- (18102) Angrilli
- (18583) Francescopedani
- (20103) de Vico
- (20353) Gianotto
All asteroids named after someone called Francesco