(6240) Lucretius Carus Main-belt Asteroid

Discovered on 26 September 1989 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.

Where Lucretius Carus is today

MercuryVenusEarthEarthMarsMarsLucretius CarusLucretius Carus

Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Lucretius Carus is 2.19 au from the Sun and 1.91 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.

Facts

Number6240
Provisional designation1989 SL1
Orbit classMain-belt Asteroid
Diameter4.69 km (#11,255 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size)
Albedo0.263
Absolute magnitude (H)14.04
Orbital period3.31 years
Semi-major axis2.22 au
Perihelion – aphelion2.10 – 2.34 au
Eccentricity0.0556
Inclination4.72°
Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID)1.11 au

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

Also discovered on 26 September 1989

More named asteroids discovered by E. W. Elst