(17851) Kaler Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 1 May 1998 by NEAT at Haleakala.
James B. Kaler (b. 1938), a professor at the University of Illinois from 1976 to 2003 known for his spectroscopic research on planetary nebulae, has with books and an outstanding website also worked tirelessly to educate planetarians, teachers, students and amateur astronomers, always being available to answer their questions.Naming citation (20040713/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Kaler is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Kaler is 2.64 au from the Sun and 2.03 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 17851 |
| Provisional designation | 1998 JK |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 4.91 km (#10,790 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.184 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.87 |
| Orbital period | 3.71 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.40 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.05 – 2.75 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.146 |
| Inclination | 3.23° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.05 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
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