(8003) Kelvin Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 1 September 1987 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
William Thomson (Lord Kelvin, 1824-1907), well known for the absolute temperature scale, contributed to modern physics through his major role in the development of the second law of thermodynamics. His theoretical work on submarine telegraphy led to the laying of the first transatlantic cable.Naming citation (20021120/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
👶 Kelvin as a baby name🐶 Kelvin as a dog name
Where Kelvin is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Kelvin is 2.19 au from the Sun and 2.68 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 8003 |
| Provisional designation | 1987 RJ |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 4.88 km (#10,857 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.260 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.84 |
| Orbital period | 3.31 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.22 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.96 – 2.49 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.120 |
| Inclination | 2.84° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.953 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called William
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