(5703) Hevelius Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 15 November 1931 by K. Reinmuth at Heidelberg.
Named in memory of the eminent astronomer Johannes Hevelius (1611–1687), brewer and city councilor of Gdansk, now Danzig. After studies at Leiden, London, Paris and Avignon he erected a private observatory and was an ardent observer. His Selenographia (1647), which contains detailed lunar maps obtained with long refractors, made him well-known. Further important works include Cometographia, Machina coelestis (astrometric observations of stars and planets), Annus climactericus, the Star Atlas and the Star Catalogue based on measurements with Tychonic-type quadrants and sextants. Hevelius' second wife, Catharina Elisabeth, was one of the first female astronomers. Name proposed by J. Wünsch and L. D. Schmadel.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 3, #14, 4), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Hevelius is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Hevelius is 2.26 au from the Sun and 1.42 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 5703 |
| Provisional designation | 1931 VS |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 5.86 km (#9,136 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.390 |
| Rotation period | 3.46 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.11 |
| Orbital period | 4.15 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.58 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.13 – 3.04 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.175 |
| Inclination | 14.3° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.14 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
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