(21685) Francomallia Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 11 September 1999 by G. Masi at Ceccano.
Franco Mallia (b. 1961), an amateur astronomer since 1974, is involved with astronomy popularization at Campo Catino Astronomical Observatory, the most important public observatory in Italy. He also works with several observing programs and has discovered several minor planets.Naming citation (20010509/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Francomallia is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Francomallia is 3.10 au from the Sun and 4.05 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 21685 |
| Provisional designation | 1999 RL35 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.58 |
| Orbital period | 4.92 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.89 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.68 – 3.11 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.0737 |
| Inclination | 1.00° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.68 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Franco
- (7306) Panizon
- (9897) Malerba
- (10567) Francobressan
- (10573) Piani
- (14953) Bevilacqua
- (18122) Forestamartin
- (18556) Battiato
- (25601) Francopacini
- (300226) Francocanepari
All asteroids named after someone called Franco
Also discovered on 11 September 1999
- (12583) Buckjean
- (13396) Midavaine
- (16065) Borel
- (20517) Judycrystal
- (20597) Pickersgill
- (20613) Chibaken
- (21686) Koschny
- (21687) Filopanti
- (36061) Haldane
- (36169) Grosseteste
- (38270) Wettzell
- (40440) Dobrovsky