(11978) Makotomasako Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 20 September 1995 by Endate, K., Watanabe, K. at Kitami.
Makoto Shima (b. 1923) and his wife Masako Shima (b. 1930) are both experts in the study of meteorites. Makoto published many books on meteorites and cosmic dust, and Masako's specialties are the chemical composition and origin of meteorites, especially the analysis of cosmic-ray-produced nuclides.Naming citation (20030910/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Makotomasako is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Makotomasako is 2.50 au from the Sun and 3.46 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 11978 |
| Provisional designation | 1995 SS4 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 8.66 km (#6,016 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.0670 |
| Rotation period | 24.0 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.33 |
| Orbital period | 4.24 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.62 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.82 – 3.42 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.305 |
| Inclination | 4.74° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.837 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Makoto
- (7803) Adachi
- (8574) Makotoirie
- (8932) Nagatomo
- (9673) Kunishimakoto
- (9851) Sakamoto
- (10546) Nakanomakoto
- (11087) Yamasakimakoto
- (55222) Makotoshinkai
All asteroids named after someone called Makoto
Also discovered on 20 September 1995
- (7442) Inouehideo
- (8560) Tsubaki
- (9088) Maki
- (12408) Fujioka
- (12411) Tannokayo
- (12412) Muchisachie
- (12787) Abetadashi
- (13156) Mannoucyo
- (15843) Comcom
- (16713) Airashi
- (17603) Qoyllurwasi
- (20112) Cassia