(3893) DeLaeter Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 20 March 1980 by M. P. Candy at Bickley.
Named in honor of John DeLaeter, retired professor at Curtin University, Western Australia, in recognition of his pioneering application of mass spectrometry to a range of astrophysical, chemical, geological and nuclear problems over many decades. His outstanding scientific achievements and communication skills have been recognized in awards from ANZAAS, the Royal Society and the Australian Geological Society. He is an officer of the Order of Australia. His support of the Perth Observatory during funding crises was instrumental in maintaining the operation of this isolated institution. Name suggested and citation provided by J. Biggs and P. Birch.Naming citation (19960828/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where DeLaeter is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: DeLaeter is 2.09 au from the Sun and 1.09 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 3893 |
| Provisional designation | 1980 FG12 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 12.8 km (#3,791 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.0680 |
| Rotation period | 14.4 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.42 |
| Orbital period | 3.77 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.42 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.78 – 3.06 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.265 |
| Inclination | 23.1° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.896 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
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