(145078) Katherinejohnson Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 4 April 2005 by CSS at Catalina.
Katherine Johnson (1918–2020) was a trailblazing African-American mathematician and scientist. She is renowned for her work at NASA on orbital mechanics calculations supporting the success of several early crewed spaceflight programs including Mercury and Apollo. She is the recipient of numerous awards and accolades.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 2, #7, 12), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Katherinejohnson is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Katherinejohnson is 2.27 au from the Sun and 3.18 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 145078 |
| Provisional designation | 2005 GO39 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 16.47 |
| Orbital period | 3.63 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.36 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.85 – 2.87 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.215 |
| Inclination | 6.95° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.839 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Katherine
- (9477) Kefennell
- (12986) Kretke
- (13275) Kathgoetz
- (17218) Stgeorge
- (17980) Vanschaik
- (18787) Kathermann
- (18992) Katharvard
- (20281) Kathartman
- (20791) de Kleer
- (21939) Kasmith
- (23875) Strube
- (24119) Katherinrose
All asteroids named after someone called Katherine
Also discovered on 4 April 2005
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- (145062) Hashikami
- (235999) Bucciantini
- (238710) Halassy
- (248262) Liuxiaobo
- (289608) Wanli
- (396931) Nerliluca