(55987) Mariaruiz Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 24 September 1998 by CSS at Catalina.
María Teresa Ruiz (b. 1946) is a Chilean astronomer recognized for her discovery of the first brown dwarf. A professor at the University of Chile, she has made contributions to the study of stellar evolution. María is also a dedicated advocate for science education and gender equality in scientific fields.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 5, #20, 4), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Mariaruiz is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Mariaruiz is 2.17 au from the Sun and 2.26 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 55987 |
| Provisional designation | 1998 SO27 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 3.13 km (#14,875 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.323 |
| Rotation period | 43.7 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.59 |
| Orbital period | 3.43 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.27 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.74 – 2.81 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.235 |
| Inclination | 23.4° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.784 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Maria
- (4555) Josefaperez
- (6635) Zuber
- (7026) Gabrielasilang
- (7722) Firneis
- (9013) Sansaturio
- (9815) Mariakirch
- (9822) Hajdukova
- (10924) Mariagriffin
- (11517) Esteracuna
- (12005) Delgiudice
- (12624) Mariacunitia
- (13760) Rodriguez
All asteroids named after someone called Maria