(30786) Karkoschka Mars-crossing Asteroid

Discovered on 18 August 1988 by Shoemaker, C. S., Shoemaker, E. M. at Palomar.

German-born Erich Karkoschka (b. 1955) is an astronomer at the University of Arizona. His field of expertise is atmospheres and satellites of the outer planets. He loves to observe the stellar wonders and has published field guides for amateur astronomers. The citation was prepared by G. and D. Heinlein.Naming citation (20060413/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL

Where Karkoschka is today

MercuryVenusEarthEarthMarsMarsKarkoschkaKarkoschka

Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Karkoschka is 2.35 au from the Sun and 2.95 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.

Facts

Number30786
Provisional designation1988 QC
Orbit classMars-crossing Asteroid
Absolute magnitude (H)17.25
Orbital period4.28 years
Semi-major axis2.64 au
Perihelion – aphelion1.46 – 3.81 au
Eccentricity0.446
Inclination8.28°
Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID)0.468 au

Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.

Also named after someone called Erich

Also discovered on 18 August 1988

More named asteroids discovered by Shoemaker, C. S., Shoemaker, E. M.