(20172) Martin Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 4 December 1996 by Spacewatch at Kitt Peak.
Martha Evans Martin (1861–1925) was an American pioneer of popular astronomy. Through her classic books The Friendly Stars and The Ways of the Planets, she transformed academic astronomy into poetic, accessible prose, inspiring generations of readers and bringing the wonders of the cosmos to the general public.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 6, #12, 7), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
👶 Martin as a baby name🐶 Martin as a dog name🐱 Martin as a cat name
Where Martin is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Martin is 2.03 au from the Sun and 2.66 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 20172 |
| Provisional designation | 1996 XT16 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 16.1 |
| Orbital period | 3.66 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.38 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.00 – 2.75 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.157 |
| Inclination | 1.53° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.02 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Martha
- (4664) Hanner
- (10863) Oye
- (13438) Marthanalexander
- (20067) Marthanieves
- (26744) Marthahaynes
- (56067) Argerich
- (100934) Marthanussbaum
- (175152) Marthafarkas
- (212403) Marthakusterer
- (299362) Marthacole
All asteroids named after someone called Martha
Also discovered on 4 December 1996
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- (21311) Servius
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- (24890) Amaliafinzi
- (27923) Dimitribartolini
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