(4471) Graculus Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 8 November 1978 by P. Wild at Zimmerwald.
Pyrrhocorax graculus is the Alpine species of choughs. In great flocks they are sometimes a bit of a nuisance, but to watch their masterly elegant flight, especially in turbulent air, is a great delight.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 3, #12, 5), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Graculus is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Graculus is 2.46 au from the Sun and 1.63 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 4471 |
| Provisional designation | 1978 VB |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 11.7 km (#4,215 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.204 |
| Rotation period | 11.8 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 12.14 |
| Orbital period | 4.84 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.86 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.41 – 3.32 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.159 |
| Inclination | 13.9° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.43 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.