(31451) Joenickell Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 9 February 1999 by J. McGaha at Grasslands.
Named in honor of Joe Nickell (b. 1944), the Senior Research Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. A noted author, investigator, and skeptic, Nickell has written more than 30 books on mysteries, frauds, forgeries and hoaxes. He promotes scientific inquiry and reasoned investigation of extraordinary claims.Naming citation (20111012/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Joenickell is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Joenickell is 2.58 au from the Sun and 2.62 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 31451 |
| Provisional designation | 1999 CE10 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 1.93 km (#17,102 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.393 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 15.46 |
| Orbital period | 3.44 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.28 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.96 – 2.60 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.139 |
| Inclination | 5.20° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.946 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
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