(296928) Francescopalla Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 17 February 1994 by Tesi, L., Cattani, G. at San Marcello.
Francesco Palla (1954-2016) was an Italian astronomer, known for his contributions to the field of star formation. He was Director of the Arcetri Astrophysical Observatory from 2005 to 2011, and author of more than 300 scientific papers. Palla coauthored, with Steve Stahler, the textbook The Formation of Stars.Naming citation (MPC batch dated 2017-11-04), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Francescopalla is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Francescopalla is 3.56 au from the Sun and 4.52 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 296928 |
| Provisional designation | 2010 CE155 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 3.84 km (#13,126 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.0520 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 16.14 |
| Orbital period | 5.23 years |
| Semi-major axis | 3.01 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.31 – 3.72 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.234 |
| Inclination | 10.8° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.35 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Francesco
- (6892) Lana
- (7640) Marzari
- (7918) Berrilli
- (8266) Bertelli
- (9934) Caccioppoli
- (10875) Veracini
- (12722) Petrarca
- (15460) Manca
- (18102) Angrilli
- (18583) Francescopedani
- (20103) de Vico
- (20353) Gianotto
All asteroids named after someone called Francesco