(16958) Klaasen Mars-crossing Asteroid
Discovered on 2 August 1998 by LONEOS at Anderson Mesa.
Kenneth P. Klaasen (b. 1946), a geomorphologist and expert in scientific operations of spacecraft at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, has designed observational sequences for numerous planetary missions, most recently for Deep Impact, for which he has also overseen instrument calibration.Naming citation (20050721/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Klaasen is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Klaasen is 1.75 au from the Sun and 1.97 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 16958 |
| Provisional designation | 1998 PF |
| Orbit class | Mars-crossing Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.96 |
| Orbital period | 2.84 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.01 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.43 – 2.59 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.289 |
| Inclination | 42.0° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.549 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
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