(4969) Lawrence Main-belt Asteroid

Discovered on 4 October 1986 by E. F. Helin at Palomar.

Named in honor of Kenneth J. Lawrence, astronomer and valuable member of the Palomar Planet-Crossing Asteroid Survey team, on the occasion of his 28th birthday, 1992 May 30. Discoverer of near-Earth asteroids and comets, his congenial personality and wry wit contribute to the smooth operation of the highly-focused NEA discovery program. This recognition is heartily endorsed by his friends and coworkers, Jeff Alu, Perry Rose and Brian Roman.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 5, #28, 5), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL

👶 Lawrence as a baby name 🐶 Lawrence as a dog name

Where Lawrence is today

Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Lawrence is 3.58 au from the Sun and 3.93 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.

Facts

Number	4969
Provisional designation	1986 TU
Orbit class	Main-belt Asteroid
Diameter	6.71 km (#7,984 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size)
Albedo	0.171
Spectral type	C
Absolute magnitude (H)	12.86
Orbital period	4.58 years
Semi-major axis	2.76 au
Perihelion – aphelion	1.76 – 3.76 au
Eccentricity	0.362
Inclination	31.4°
Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID)	0.924 au

Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.

Also named after someone called Kenneth

All asteroids named after someone called Kenneth

Also discovered on 4 October 1986

More named asteroids discovered by E. F. Helin

All 267

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