(33241) Jeanmedas Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 21 April 1998 by ODAS at Caussols.
Jean Medas (1921–1999) was a French optician. He survived the Dora concentration camp, and after WWII opened a company specializing in astronomical instruments. Over the years, he has been instrumental in the development of amateur astronomy in France, both by importing instruments and planetaria, and by helping amateurs popularize science.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 3, #10, 8), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Jeanmedas is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Jeanmedas is 2.92 au from the Sun and 2.32 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 33241 |
| Provisional designation | 1998 HX5 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 8.11 km (#6,460 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.0390 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.47 |
| Orbital period | 5.32 years |
| Semi-major axis | 3.05 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.91 – 3.19 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.0453 |
| Inclination | 4.50° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.91 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Jean
- (2221) Chilton
- (2267) Agassiz
- (3821) Sonet
- (8116) Jeanperrin
- (8604) Vanier
- (9138) Murdoch
- (9968) Serpe
- (10111) Fresnel
- (10215) Lavilledemirmont
- (10440) van Swinden
- (12286) Poiseuille
- (12498) Dragesco
All asteroids named after someone called Jean
Also discovered on 21 April 1998
- (9244) Visnjan
- (11715) Harperclark
- (11716) Amahartman
- (11718) Hayward
- (11719) Hicklen
- (11720) Horodyskyj
- (11721) Shawnlowe
- (11724) Ronaldhsu
- (11725) Victoriahsu
- (12091) Jesmalmquist
- (12092) Erinorourke
- (12093) Chrimatthews