(17855) Geffert Main-belt Asteroid

Discovered on 19 May 1998 by Starkenburg at Heppenheim.

The German amateur astronomer Martin Geffert (b. 1922) has been very dedicated to the Starkenburg Observatory, being one of the founders and treasurer of the observatory since its beginnings in 1970. He is also an excellent performer on the mandolin.Naming citation (20010309/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL

Where Geffert is today

MercuryVenusEarthEarthMarsMarsGeffertGeffert

Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Geffert is 3.52 au from the Sun and 3.71 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.

Facts

Number17855
Provisional designation1998 KK
Orbit classMain-belt Asteroid
Diameter14.8 km (#3,202 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size)
Albedo0.0620
Rotation period7.47 hours
Absolute magnitude (H)13.07
Orbital period5.48 years
Semi-major axis3.11 au
Perihelion – aphelion2.69 – 3.53 au
Eccentricity0.135
Inclination5.20°
Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID)1.71 au

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

Also named after someone called Martin

Also discovered on 19 May 1998

More named asteroids discovered by Starkenburg