(58608) Geroldrichter Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 22 October 1997 by M. Tichy at Klet.
Gerold A. Richter (b. 1929), astronomer at the Sonneberg Observatory, Thuringia, is known for his expertise in the use of photographic plates in variable star research, and contribution to the discovery, typology and statistics of variable stars. He analyzed x-ray sources on archival photographic plates.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 4, #9, 5), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Geroldrichter is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Geroldrichter is 3.18 au from the Sun and 2.63 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 58608 |
| Provisional designation | 1997 UY |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 2.89 km (#15,470 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.232 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 15.3 |
| Orbital period | 4.70 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.80 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.39 – 3.22 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.149 |
| Inclination | 6.06° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.37 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.