(9531) Jean-Luc Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 30 August 1981 by E. Bowell at Anderson Mesa.
Jean-Luc Margot (b. 1969), a scientist at the Arecibo Observatory, has used radar interferometry and self-built data-acquisition hardware to make the most detailed topographic maps available for the Moon's polar regions. He also led the radar investigation of the binary near-Earth-object 2000 DP107.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 6, #1, 4), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Jean-Luc is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Jean-Luc is 2.65 au from the Sun and 3.57 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 9531 |
| Provisional designation | 1981 QK |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 4.18 km (#12,328 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.279 |
| Rotation period | 2.50 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.19 |
| Orbital period | 3.34 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.24 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.82 – 2.65 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.186 |
| Inclination | 5.81° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.813 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Luc
- (18112) Jeanlucjosset
- (25259) Lucarnold
- (40684) Vanhoeck
- (49296) Lucdettwiller
- (100924) Luctuymans
- (741718) Simard
All asteroids named after someone called Luc
Also discovered on 30 August 1981
- (2730) Barks
- (2863) Ben Mayer
- (2871) Schober
- (3087) Beatrice Tinsley
- (3123) Dunham
- (3832) Shapiro
- (4021) Dancey
- (4433) Goldstone
- (5272) Dickinson
- (7220) Philnicholson
- (9001) Slettebak
- (10029) Hiramperkins