(173002) Dorfi Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 17 July 2006 by W. Ries at Altschwendt.
Ernst Dorfi (b. 1956) is a professor of theoretical astrophysics at the University of Vienna and one of the most respected astronomical specialists in Austria. In addition to his research, he promotes astronomy at conventions and on television shows.Naming citation (20080520/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Dorfi is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Dorfi is 2.27 au from the Sun and 2.68 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 173002 |
| Provisional designation | 2006 OS |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 2.88 km (#15,503 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.0770 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 16.24 |
| Orbital period | 4.08 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.55 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.20 – 2.91 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.138 |
| Inclination | 2.76° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.19 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Ernst
- (3949) Mach
- (5053) Chladni
- (11042) Ernstweber
- (11043) Pepping
- (12323) Haeckel
- (13086) Sauerbruch
- (14990) Zermelo
- (16441) Kirchner
- (16714) Arndt
- (20016) Rietschel
- (25628) Kummer
- (112328) Klinkerfues
All asteroids named after someone called Ernst