(4442) Garcia Main-belt Asteroid

Discovered on 14 September 1985 by Spacewatch at Kitt Peak.

Named in memory of Jerry Garcia (1942–1995), lead guitarist for the Grateful Dead. He was also a superb banjo player and steel pedal guitar player. His recorded works embrace many styles, among them rock-and-roll, bluegrass and country, and experimental electronic music. Garcia and the Grateful Dead have also sought to preserve endangered and underappreciated music. Garcia was best known for his consummate musicianship and for live performance and improvisations. Those embracing Garcia's music have now spanned several generations, attesting to the quality and timelessness of his music. Name proposed by T. Gehrels, following a suggestion by S. Radford. Citation prepared by E. Olszewski and S. Radford.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 4, #12, 4), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL

👶 Garcia as a baby name 🐶 Garcia as a dog name

Where Garcia is today

Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Garcia is 3.61 au from the Sun and 2.90 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.

Facts

Number	4442
Provisional designation	1985 RB1
Orbit class	Main-belt Asteroid
Diameter	14.5 km (#3,244 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size)
Albedo	0.0700
Rotation period	6.40 hours
Absolute magnitude (H)	13.08
Orbital period	5.19 years
Semi-major axis	3.00 au
Perihelion – aphelion	2.26 – 3.74 au
Eccentricity	0.248
Inclination	15.1°
Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID)	1.32 au

Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.

Also named after someone called Jerry

All asteroids named after someone called Jerry

Also discovered on 14 September 1985

More named asteroids discovered by Spacewatch

All 377

← (4441) Toshie · (4443) Paulet →