(438973) Masci Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 5 July 2010 by WISE at WISE.
Frank Masci (b. 1972) has been responsible for instrumental calibration, characterization and software development for image processing and source detection for the Spitzer Space Telescope, the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Explorer, NEOWISE and the Palomar Transient Factory.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 5, #14, 39), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Masci is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Masci is 2.48 au from the Sun and 2.24 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 438973 |
| Provisional designation | 2010 NW15 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 3.09 km (#14,992 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.0740 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 16.65 |
| Orbital period | 5.54 years |
| Semi-major axis | 3.13 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.39 – 3.87 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.238 |
| Inclination | 11.7° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.39 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
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