(2159) Kukkamaki Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 16 October 1941 by L. Oterma at Turku.
Named in honor of T. J. Kukkamaki on the occasion of his 70th birthday, 1979 Oct. 11. A distinguished disciple of Y. Vaisala, this leading geodesist was for many years Director of the Finnish Geodetic Institute. He is an active member of several international scientific organizations and has served as President of the International Association of Geodesy since 1975.Naming citation (MPC 5014), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Kukkamaki is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Kukkamaki is 2.58 au from the Sun and 2.48 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 2159 |
| Provisional designation | 1941 UX |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 11.5 km (#4,316 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.193 |
| Rotation period | 3.87 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 11.91 |
| Orbital period | 3.91 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.48 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.39 – 2.58 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.0388 |
| Inclination | 3.26° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.40 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
More named asteroids discovered by L. Oterma
- (1504) Lappeenranta
- (1507) Vaasa
- (1522) Kokkola
- (1540) Kevola
- (1544) Vinterhansenia
- (1545) Thernoe
- (1558) Jarnefelt
- (1559) Kustaanheimo
- (1679) Nevanlinna
- (1680) Per Brahe
- (1695) Walbeck
- (1705) Tapio
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