(6892) Lana Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 7 November 1978 by Helin, E. F., Bus, S. J. at Palomar.
Francesco Lana (1631–1687), an Italian Jesuit, professor of physics and mathematics, first explored the concept for a vacuum airship, bringing human flight into the field of science. He also originated the idea and concept of an alphabet for the blind, which was developed later by Louis Braille.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 5, #21, 6), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
👶 Lana as a baby name🐶 Lana as a dog name🐱 Lana as a cat name
Where Lana is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Lana is 2.59 au from the Sun and 3.43 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 6892 |
| Provisional designation | 1978 VG8 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 15.15 |
| Orbital period | 4.11 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.57 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.87 – 3.26 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.270 |
| Inclination | 4.26° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.872 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Francesco
- (7640) Marzari
- (7918) Berrilli
- (8266) Bertelli
- (9934) Caccioppoli
- (10875) Veracini
- (12722) Petrarca
- (15460) Manca
- (18102) Angrilli
- (18583) Francescopedani
- (20103) de Vico
- (20353) Gianotto
- (20752) Topputo
All asteroids named after someone called Francesco
Also discovered on 7 November 1978
- (2324) Janice
- (2440) Educatio
- (2499) Brunk
- (2611) Boyce
- (2725) David Bender
- (2925) Beatty
- (3240) Laocoon
- (3449) Abell
- (3651) Friedman
- (3718) Dunbar
- (3926) Ramirez
- (4012) Geballe