(89455) Metzendorf Main-belt Asteroid

Discovered on 8 December 2001 by Starkenburg at Heppenheim.

Wilhelm Metzendorf (1911–1988) was mayor of the district town of Heppenheim in Germany from 1954 to 1973 and was instrumental in the construction of the Starkenburg Observatory.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 1, #3, 11), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL

Where Metzendorf is today

MercuryVenusEarthEarthMarsMarsMetzendorfMetzendorf

Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Metzendorf is 2.05 au from the Sun and 1.25 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.

Facts

Number89455
Provisional designation2001 XJ1
Orbit classMain-belt Asteroid
Absolute magnitude (H)15.9
Orbital period3.66 years
Semi-major axis2.37 au
Perihelion – aphelion2.04 – 2.71 au
Eccentricity0.140
Inclination7.25°
Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID)1.03 au

Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.

Also named after someone called Wilhelm

Also discovered on 8 December 2001

More named asteroids discovered by Starkenburg