(8790) Michaelamato Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 7 November 1978 by Helin, E. F., Bus, S. J. at Palomar.
Michael J. Amato (b. 1967) contributed to NASA's Lucy Trojan asteroid mission as the Early Mission Proposal and Phase A Goddard Space Flight Center Lead. He has successfully led early work on multiple other planetary missions including OSIRIS-REx, MAVEN, Dragonfly, and DAVINCI+.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 1, #9, 7), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Michaelamato is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Michaelamato is 2.66 au from the Sun and 2.43 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 8790 |
| Provisional designation | 1978 VN9 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.29 |
| Orbital period | 4.33 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.66 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.43 – 2.89 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.0866 |
| Inclination | 3.61° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.42 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Michael
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- (4477) Kelley
- (4599) Rowan
- (5373) Michaelkurtz
- (5554) Keesey
- (5569) Colby
- (6406) Mikejura
- (6569) Ondaatje
- (7738) Heyman
- (7936) Mikemagee
- (8032) Michaeladams
- (8129) Michaelbusch
All asteroids named after someone called Michael
Also discovered on 7 November 1978
- (2324) Janice
- (2440) Educatio
- (2499) Brunk
- (2611) Boyce
- (2725) David Bender
- (2925) Beatty
- (3240) Laocoon
- (3449) Abell
- (3651) Friedman
- (3718) Dunbar
- (3926) Ramirez
- (4012) Geballe