(59045) Gerardlemaitre Main-belt Asteroid

Discovered on 13 October 1998 by ODAS at Caussols.

Gérard R. Lemaitre (b. 1943) is a French astronomer noted for pioneering work on methods for active optics. In addition to patents and papers, he authored the book Astronomical Optics and Elasticity Theory and participated in the optical concept of the giant Schmidt telescope LAMOST.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 2, #15, 15), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL

Where Gerardlemaitre is today

MercuryVenusEarthEarthMarsMarsGerardlemaitreGerardlemaitre

Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Gerardlemaitre is 2.82 au from the Sun and 3.46 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.

Facts

Number59045
Provisional designation1998 TR2
Orbit classMain-belt Asteroid
Absolute magnitude (H)16.34
Orbital period4.20 years
Semi-major axis2.60 au
Perihelion – aphelion2.25 – 2.96 au
Eccentricity0.136
Inclination2.61°
Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID)1.25 au

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

Also named after someone called Gerard

Also discovered on 13 October 1998

More named asteroids discovered by ODAS