(2142) Landau Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 3 April 1972 by L. I. Chernykh at Nauchnyj.
Named in memory of Lev Davydovich Landau (1908-1968), founder of the study of modern theoretical physics in the U.S.S.R. Among his accomplishments was fundamental research in quantum electrodynamics, superconductivity and neutrino theory.Naming citation (MPC 5284), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Landau is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Landau is 3.32 au from the Sun and 2.72 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 2142 |
| Provisional designation | 1972 GA |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 20.1 km (#2,187 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.0500 |
| Rotation period | 19.2 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 12.17 |
| Orbital period | 5.63 years |
| Semi-major axis | 3.16 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.79 – 3.53 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.117 |
| Inclination | 0.665° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.79 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Lev
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