(6127) Hetherington Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 25 April 1989 by E. F. Helin at Palomar.
Named in honor of Ernest Hetherington, a highly respected authority on Orchids (Orchidaceae). He was a good friend and mentor to Kay Francis, the discoverer's mother, who grew and hybridized many exceptional “new” orchids. “Ernie” is an orchid judge, gifted writer on Orchidaceae and recipient of many honors, awards and special recognition for his role as a grower, educator and popularizer of orchid culture.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 4, #10, 5), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Hetherington is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Hetherington is 2.44 au from the Sun and 3.41 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 6127 |
| Provisional designation | 1989 HD |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 5.53 km (#9,663 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.223 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.46 |
| Orbital period | 4.21 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.61 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.22 – 2.99 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.149 |
| Inclination | 13.9° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.24 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Ernest
- (4643) Cisneros
- (5311) Rutherford
- (7349) Ernestmaes
- (12878) Erneschiller
- (14339) Knorre
- (97631) Kentrobinson
- (157271) Gurtovenko
- (289586) Shackleton
All asteroids named after someone called Ernest