(5705) Ericsterken Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 21 October 1965 by H. Debehogne at Uccle.
Named in memory of Eric Sterken (1948-1998), professional gardener and landscaper who took care of the gardens of the Brussels Planetarium. He is remembered by hundreds of people for his friendliness and modesty, and at the same time he was respected for his great efforts to preserve plantlife and wildlife. He was proud to have been the brother of a professional astronomer, Chris Sterken.Naming citation (19980411/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Ericsterken is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Ericsterken is 2.74 au from the Sun and 3.40 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 5705 |
| Provisional designation | 1965 UA |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 4.51 km (#11,615 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.336 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.79 |
| Orbital period | 3.52 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.32 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.80 – 2.84 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.225 |
| Inclination | 4.68° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.789 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Eric
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- (5057) Weeks
- (8804) Eliason
- (9620) Ericidle
- (10119) Remarque
- (10841) Ericforbes
- (13858) Ericchristensen
- (13911) Stempels
- (14544) Ericjones
- (15628) Gonzales
- (15929) Ericlinton
- (17807) Ericpearce
All asteroids named after someone called Eric