(5153) Gierasch Main-belt Asteroid

Discovered on 9 April 1940 by Y. Vaisala at Turku.

Peter J. Gierasch (b. 1940) has solved fundamental problems in atmospheric dynamics for Mars, Jupiter and, via the Gierasch mechanism, Venus. He co-founded Cornell University's Center for Radiophysics and Space Research and won the 2014 Kuiper Prize for contributions to planetary science.Naming citation (MPC batch dated 2015-01-05), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL

Where Gierasch is today

Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Gierasch is 2.46 au from the Sun and 3.44 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.

Facts

Number	5153
Provisional designation	1940 GO
Orbit class	Main-belt Asteroid
Diameter	27.5 km (#1,520 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size)
Albedo	0.0390
Rotation period	9.00 hours
Absolute magnitude (H)	12.14
Orbital period	4.33 years
Semi-major axis	2.66 au
Perihelion – aphelion	2.19 – 3.12 au
Eccentricity	0.174
Inclination	12.8°
Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID)	1.22 au

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

Also named after someone called Peter

All asteroids named after someone called Peter

Also discovered on 9 April 1940

(2639) Planman

More named asteroids discovered by Y. Vaisala

All 128

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