(9478) Caldeyro Main-belt Asteroid

Discovered on 24 September 1960 by van Houten, C. J., van Houten-Groeneveld, I., Gehrels, T. at Palomar.

Named in memory of Roberto Caldeyro Barcia (1921–1996), Uruguayan physiologist who led a team of researchers, together with Hermógenes Alvarez, in a pioneering study of the physiological aspects of perinatology. Their investigations on uterine contractility were seminal for the development of procedures for the control of high-risk pregnancies and deliveries. Their unit system (’Montevideo Units’), introduced to measure the intensity of the uterine contractions, is used worldwide. During his term as president of the Program for the Development of Basic Science (1986–1996), Caldeyro Barcia played a fundamental role in restoring Uruguayan scientific research, which had been severely damaged during the previous period of military dictatorship.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 4, #11, 5), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL

Where Caldeyro is today

Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Caldeyro is 3.36 au from the Sun and 2.59 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.

Facts

Number	9478
Provisional designation	2148 P-L
Orbit class	Main-belt Asteroid
Absolute magnitude (H)	14.27
Orbital period	5.43 years
Semi-major axis	3.09 au
Perihelion – aphelion	2.65 – 3.53 au
Eccentricity	0.141
Inclination	4.69°
Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID)	1.64 au

Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.

Also named after someone called Roberto

All asteroids named after someone called Roberto

Also discovered on 24 September 1960

More named asteroids discovered by van Houten, C. J., van Houten-Groeneveld, I., Gehrels, T.

All 958

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