(340687) Gerrysmith Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 14 September 2006 by J. Masiero at Mauna Kea.
Gerald (Gerry) M. Smith (1931–2024) was an American engineer specializing in telescope design and development. He led the development and construction for many important astronomical facilities, including serving as Project Manager for NASA's Infrared Telescope Facility, NASA's Infrared Astronomical Satellite, and the two Keck telescopes.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 5, #7, 8), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Gerrysmith is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Gerrysmith is 2.83 au from the Sun and 3.65 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 340687 |
| Provisional designation | 2006 RA108 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 5.19 km (#10,274 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.0550 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 15.75 |
| Orbital period | 5.62 years |
| Semi-major axis | 3.16 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.68 – 3.64 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.153 |
| Inclination | 10.5° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.68 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
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