(9640) Lippens Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 12 August 1994 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named in honor of Carlos Lippens (b. 1945), well known for his work on trace substances in the Earth's atmosphere by means of infrared spectroscopy. Working at the Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy, he was responsible for the GRILLE spectrometer on board Spacelab 1 (1983) and Atlas 1 (1992). Lippens was also closely involved with the MIRAS instrumentation on board MIR. As a computer specialist he has frequently helped solve data-communication problems in connection with the discoverer's work on minor planets.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 5, #20, 4), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Lippens is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Lippens is 2.61 au from the Sun and 2.86 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 9640 |
| Provisional designation | 1994 PP26 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.48 |
| Orbital period | 3.79 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.43 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.05 – 2.81 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.156 |
| Inclination | 2.83° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.04 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Carlos
- (6380) Gardel
- (9483) Chagas
- (10894) Nakai
- (11437) Cardalda
- (26255) Carmarques
- (33290) Carloszuluaga
- (43722) Carloseduardo
- (72949) Colesanti
- (100050) Carloshernandez
- (118768) Carlosnoriega
- (202819) Carlosanchez
- (462078) Carlosbriones
All asteroids named after someone called Carlos
Also discovered on 12 August 1994
- (7142) Spinoza
- (8550) Hesiodos
- (9641) Demaziere
- (9778) Isabelallende
- (9879) Mammuthus
- (9880) Stegosaurus
- (10151) Rubens
- (10361) Bunsen
- (10841) Ericforbes
- (11095) Havana
- (11583) Breuer
- (11965) Catullus