(17602) Dr. G. Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 19 September 1995 by T. B. Spahr at Catalina Station.
Stephen Gottesman (b. 1939), a radio astronomer at the University of Florida for 35 years, was an advisor to 15 students and a teacher and friend to many others. His research involved galactic structure and dynamics, but his celestial namesake honors the endless enthusiasm and respect “Dr. G.” afforded his students.Naming citation (20070730/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Dr. G. is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Dr. G. is 3.64 au from the Sun and 4.50 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 17602 |
| Provisional designation | 1995 SO1 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 9.88 km (#5,175 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.0950 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.49 |
| Orbital period | 5.57 years |
| Semi-major axis | 3.14 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.64 – 3.64 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.160 |
| Inclination | 21.3° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.70 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Stephen
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- (5191) Paddack
- (5292) Mackwell
- (5657) Groombridge
- (7336) Saunders
- (7672) Hawking
- (8373) Stephengould
- (9768) Stephenmaran
- (9891) Stephensmith
- (10287) Smale
- (10315) Brewster
- (12984) Lowry
All asteroids named after someone called Stephen