(9143) Burkhead Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 16 September 1955 by Indiana University at Brooklyn.
Martin S. Burkhead (b. 1933), emeritus professor at Indiana University, contributed fundamental work on the photometry of galaxies, including M104 and M51. His commitment to the public understanding of science helped tens of thousands of people to enjoy astronomy and to appreciate the night sky.Naming citation (20040713/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Burkhead is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Burkhead is 2.64 au from the Sun and 3.54 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 9143 |
| Provisional designation | 1955 SF |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 4.36 km (#11,940 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.308 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.09 |
| Orbital period | 3.31 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.22 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.78 – 2.66 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.197 |
| Inclination | 4.63° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.773 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
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