(15742) Laurabassi Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 6 June 1991 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Laura Bassi (1711-1778) was the first woman to receive a philosophical degree in physics at a European university (Bologna). Not allowed to teach, she gave lectures on physics and performed experimental demonstrations, based on Newton's Principia, at her home. Name suggested by K. Leterme.Naming citation (MPC batch dated 2017-10-05), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Laurabassi is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Laurabassi is 2.60 au from the Sun and 3.25 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 15742 |
| Provisional designation | 1991 LB4 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 4.87 km (#10,874 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.247 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.0 |
| Orbital period | 4.41 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.69 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.60 – 2.78 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.0331 |
| Inclination | 14.2° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.59 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Laura
- (13001) Woodney
- (18128) Wysner
- (18709) Laurawong
- (20475) Lauraparro
- (20642) Laurajohnson
- (20814) Laurajones
- (20870) Kaningher
- (21463) Nickerson
- (28677) Laurakowalski
- (33400) Laurapierson
- (34365) Laurareilly
- (52570) Lauraco
All asteroids named after someone called Laura
Also discovered on 6 June 1991
- (5337) Aoki
- (8856) Celastrus
- (9340) Williamholden
- (11056) Volland
- (11900) Spinoy
- (12291) Gohnaumann
- (12292) Dalton
- (12718) Le Gentil
- (12719) Pingre
- (13523) Vanhassel
- (21064) Yangliwei
- (85185) Lederman