(78393) Dillon Main-belt Asteroid

Discovered on 8 August 2002 by A. Lowe at Palomar.

William G. Dillon (b. 1957) is the founder of the Fort Bend Astronomy Club's Asteroid Team, which has discovered up to 100 minor planets per year. A tireless observer, he is the AAVSO's president for 2003-2005, and received its Director's Award in 1996. His wife Elizabeth's steadfast support has made his success possible.Naming citation (20040504/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL

Where Dillon is today

MercuryVenusEarthEarthMarsMarsDillonDillon

Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Dillon is 2.79 au from the Sun and 3.77 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.

Facts

Number78393
Provisional designation2002 PW165
Orbit classMain-belt Asteroid
Absolute magnitude (H)15.88
Orbital period4.28 years
Semi-major axis2.64 au
Perihelion – aphelion2.35 – 2.93 au
Eccentricity0.110
Inclination2.19°
Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID)1.33 au

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

Also named after someone called William

Also discovered on 8 August 2002

More named asteroids discovered by A. Lowe