(102216) Carona Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 3 October 1999 by McCormack, B. D., Carona, D. W. at Nacogdoches.
Don Carona (1964–2025) was an American astronomer at Texas A&M University. An educator, his dedication to observational astronomy and public outreach inspired countless students and community members. Don participated in minor-planet observing programs, including work at the Stephen F. Austin State University Observatory, where this object was discovered.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 6, #6, 10), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Carona is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Carona is 3.12 au from the Sun and 3.55 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 102216 |
| Provisional designation | 1999 TG4 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 7.65 km (#6,944 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.0520 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.65 |
| Orbital period | 5.55 years |
| Semi-major axis | 3.13 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.39 – 3.88 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.237 |
| Inclination | 8.75° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.40 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
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