(30852) Debye Main-belt Asteroid

Discovered on 2 October 1991 by Borngen, F., Schmadel, L. D. at Tautenburg.

Dutch-American physical chemist Peter Debye (1884-1966), recipient of the 1936 Nobel prize in chemistry, carried out theoretical and experimental research in quantum physics, investigating molecular and crystalline structures, dipole moments, diffraction effects by x-rays and the scattering of light in gases.Naming citation (20020427/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL

Where Debye is today

MercuryVenusEarthEarthMarsMarsDebyeDebye

Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Debye is 2.20 au from the Sun and 1.37 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.

Facts

Number30852
Provisional designation1991 TR6
Orbit classMain-belt Asteroid
Diameter1.99 km (#17,045 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size)
Albedo0.281
Absolute magnitude (H)15.34
Orbital period3.20 years
Semi-major axis2.17 au
Perihelion – aphelion1.83 – 2.51 au
Eccentricity0.156
Inclination2.33°
Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID)0.817 au

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

Also named after someone called Peter

Also discovered on 2 October 1991

More named asteroids discovered by Borngen, F., Schmadel, L. D.