(20610) Franciswilliams Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 8 September 1999 by CSS at Catalina.
Francis Williams (c. 1690–c. 1770) was a Jamaican astronomer, poet, and polymath. He was one of the most notable free black people in Jamaica. He independently recognized the return of Halley's Comet in 1759.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 5, #6, 4), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Franciswilliams is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Franciswilliams is 2.60 au from the Sun and 2.26 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 20610 |
| Provisional designation | 1999 RK235 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 4.32 km (#12,004 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.198 |
| Rotation period | 7.39 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.07 |
| Orbital period | 4.34 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.66 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.51 – 2.82 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.0576 |
| Inclination | 10.4° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.52 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Francis
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- (9830) Franciswasiak
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- (21789) Frankwasser
- (22148) Francislee
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- (22567) Zenisek
- (52057) Clarkhowell
- (61402) Franciseveritt
- (92685) Cordellorenz
- (95802) Francismuir
- (124104) Balcony
All asteroids named after someone called Francis
Also discovered on 8 September 1999
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- (19629) Serra
- (19694) Dunkelman
- (19695) Billnye
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- (20545) Karenhowell
- (20546) Michaelfruhauf
- (20547) Michimani