(30402) Esthergoddard Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 23 May 2000 by LONEOS at Anderson Mesa.
Esther Goddard (1901–1982) was a secretary, photographer, and dedicated research partner for her husband, rocket pioneer Robert Goddard. After his death, she tirelessly preserved his legacy by archiving his diaries, securing recognition for his patents, and representing his work at public ceremonies.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 6, #8, 9), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Esthergoddard is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Esthergoddard is 2.68 au from the Sun and 3.67 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 30402 |
| Provisional designation | 2000 KN50 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 3.14 km (#14,857 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.194 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 15.1 |
| Orbital period | 3.79 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.43 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.01 – 2.85 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.173 |
| Inclination | 8.53° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.00 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Esther
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