(7230) Lutz Main-belt Asteroid

Discovered on 12 September 1985 by E. Bowell at Anderson Mesa.

Named in honor of Barry L. Lutz (b. 1944), professor of physics and astronomy and currently department chair at Northern Arizona University. Raised in H. L. Mencken's “Red Lion, PA,” Lutz entered a career in astrophysical sciences in which he has applied his training in molecular spectroscopy to astronomical objects ranging from comets to planets to stars. He was responsible for the discovery of diatomic carbon in the interstellar medium, providing important confirmation of ion-molecule chemistry in interstellar clouds. He was also codiscoverer of the pressured-induced Lutz-Dressler band of molecular nitrogen and of deuterated methane and carbon monoxide in the atmosphere of Titan.Naming citation (19990202/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL

👶 Lutz as a baby name

Where Lutz is today

Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Lutz is 2.27 au from the Sun and 2.55 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.

Facts

Number	7230
Provisional designation	1985 RZ1
Orbit class	Main-belt Asteroid
Rotation period	5.69 hours
Absolute magnitude (H)	13.97
Orbital period	3.66 years
Semi-major axis	2.37 au
Perihelion – aphelion	1.80 – 2.94 au
Eccentricity	0.240
Inclination	3.14°
Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID)	0.806 au

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

Also named after someone called Barry

All asteroids named after someone called Barry

Also discovered on 12 September 1985

More named asteroids discovered by E. Bowell

All 554

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