(12378) Johnston Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 15 August 1994 by R. H. McNaught at Siding Spring.
David Macarthur Johnston (1928–2022) was a farmer from Baradine, NSW, Australia. His awareness for the environment led to an expert knowledge of the bird life in and around the Pilliga Forest. He encouraged and accompanied local and international birdwatchers and organized bird surveys.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 2, #3, 5), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Johnston is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Johnston is 2.71 au from the Sun and 2.43 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 12378 |
| Provisional designation | 1994 PK1 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.23 |
| Orbital period | 4.45 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.70 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.81 – 3.60 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.332 |
| Inclination | 16.8° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.886 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
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All asteroids named after someone called David