(5087) Emel'yanov Main-belt Asteroid

Discovered on 12 September 1978 by N. S. Chernykh at Nauchnyj.

Named in honor of Nikolaj Vladimirovich Emelʹyanov (b. 1946), head of the Celestial Mechanics Department of the Sternberg Astronomical Institute in Moscow. He constructed a practical analytical theory for artificial-satellite motion based on non-keplerian intermediate orbits. He has derived precise values for the orbital parameters of Phobos and Deimos and the dynamical parameters of Mars. He also developed ephemeris software for the majority of natural satellites. Name suggested by the Institute of Theoretical Astronomy.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 6), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL

Where Emel'yanov is today

Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Emel'yanov is 2.76 au from the Sun and 3.76 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.

Facts

Number	5087
Provisional designation	1978 RM2
Orbit class	Main-belt Asteroid
Diameter	13.1 km (#3,679 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size)
Albedo	0.0510
Rotation period	14.5 hours
Spectral type	X
Absolute magnitude (H)	13.26
Orbital period	4.55 years
Semi-major axis	2.74 au
Perihelion – aphelion	2.72 – 2.77 au
Eccentricity	0.00841
Inclination	4.91°
Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID)	1.71 au

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

Also named after someone called Nikolaj

All asteroids named after someone called Nikolaj

Also discovered on 12 September 1978

(4429) Chinmoy

More named asteroids discovered by N. S. Chernykh

All 519

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