(31086) Gehringer Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 12 January 1997 by R. A. Tucker at Goodricke-Pigott.
Nebraskan amateur astronomer and high-school science teacher Thomas P. Gehringer (1953-2002) was a source of inspiration to the teaching profession, for his dedication to students and colleagues while dealing with incredible health obstacles. He and his students analyzed Kitt Peak images and discovered 73 novae in M31.Naming citation (20020128/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Gehringer is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Gehringer is 3.74 au from the Sun and 3.66 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 31086 |
| Provisional designation | 1997 AT17 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 15.11 |
| Orbital period | 5.45 years |
| Semi-major axis | 3.10 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.45 – 3.75 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.210 |
| Inclination | 1.94° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.46 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.