(11821) Coleman Main-belt Asteroid

Discovered on 6 March 1981 by S. J. Bus at Siding Spring.

Paul Henry Ikaika Coleman (1955-2018) was the first Native Hawaiian to earn a doctorate in astrophysics for his study of distant galaxies. He was a passionate advocate for astronomy and was dedicated to increasing Native Hawaiian participation in the sciences. Me ou mau kūpuna e Paul e ho`okele aku ai i nā moana hōkū ākea.Naming citation (MPC batch dated 2018-09-25), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL

Where Coleman is today

MercuryVenusEarthEarthMarsMarsColemanColeman

Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Coleman is 3.17 au from the Sun and 2.47 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.

Facts

Number11821
Provisional designation1981 EG44
Orbit classMain-belt Asteroid
Diameter7.44 km (#7,154 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size)
Albedo0.183
Absolute magnitude (H)13.64
Orbital period5.38 years
Semi-major axis3.07 au
Perihelion – aphelion2.93 – 3.21 au
Eccentricity0.0455
Inclination9.62°
Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID)1.97 au

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

Also named after someone called Paul

Also discovered on 6 March 1981

More named asteroids discovered by S. J. Bus