(8258) McCracken Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 15 September 1982 by A. Mrkos at Klet.
Ken McCracken (b. 1933) has done pioneering work in cosmic and X ray astronomy, contributing to the understanding of solar proton events and their propagation in the heliosphere. He designed instruments for four Pioneer and two Explorer mission, and had a leading role in the development of mineral exploration technology.Naming citation (MPC batch dated 2020-11-17), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where McCracken is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: McCracken is 2.74 au from the Sun and 3.69 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 8258 |
| Provisional designation | 1982 RW1 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 3.35 km (#14,335 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.189 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.67 |
| Orbital period | 3.52 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.31 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.89 – 2.74 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.184 |
| Inclination | 5.09° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.883 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
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Also discovered on 15 September 1982
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