(12845) Crick Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 3 May 1997 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Francis Crick (1916-2004) was a British scientist who proposed, together with J. D. Watson, the double-helical structure for DNA in 1953. Subsequently a general theory for the structure of small viruses was worked out. He has also investigated the nature of consciousness in The astonishing hypothesis (1994).Naming citation (20041126/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Crick is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Crick is 2.80 au from the Sun and 2.13 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 12845 |
| Provisional designation | 1997 JM15 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 3.35 km (#14,349 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.329 |
| Rotation period | 3.54 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.44 |
| Orbital period | 4.67 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.80 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.74 – 2.85 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.0205 |
| Inclination | 2.97° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.72 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Francis
- (9161) Beaufort
- (9830) Franciswasiak
- (20610) Franciswilliams
- (21789) Frankwasser
- (22148) Francislee
- (22341) Francispoulenc
- (22567) Zenisek
- (52057) Clarkhowell
- (61402) Franciseveritt
- (92685) Cordellorenz
- (95802) Francismuir
- (124104) Balcony
All asteroids named after someone called Francis
Also discovered on 3 May 1997
- (9239) van Riebeeck
- (9446) Cicero
- (9447) Julesbordet
- (10612) Houffalize
- (11349) Witten
- (12052) Aretaon
- (12490) Leiden
- (12491) Musschenbroek
- (12492) Tanais
- (13211) Stucky
- (13212) Jayleno
- (13213) Maclaurin