(129743) Grimaldi Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 15 February 1999 by S. Donati at Monte Agliale.
Francesco Maria Grimaldi (1618–1663) was one of the first telescopic observers of the Moon. He wrote De lumine, the first treatise on the wave nature of light.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 1, #5, 12), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Grimaldi is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Grimaldi is 2.35 au from the Sun and 2.70 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 129743 |
| Provisional designation | 1999 CF82 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 16.87 |
| Orbital period | 3.30 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.22 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.02 – 2.41 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.0879 |
| Inclination | 2.68° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.04 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Francesco
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- (15460) Manca
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- (18583) Francescopedani
- (20103) de Vico
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All asteroids named after someone called Francesco