(78391) Michaeljager Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 8 August 2002 by S. F. Hoenig at Palomar.
Michael Jäger (b. 1958) is one of the most prolific and recognized comet astrophotographers. Within the last decades he imaged around 300 different comets and discovered comet P/1998 U3 as well as fragment D of comet 141P/Machholz. In 2002 he assisted the discoverer with confirmation of comet C/2002 O4 (Hönig).Naming citation (20040504/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Michaeljager is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Michaeljager is 3.12 au from the Sun and 3.92 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 78391 |
| Provisional designation | 2002 PT163 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 3.64 km (#13,605 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.176 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.98 |
| Orbital period | 5.45 years |
| Semi-major axis | 3.10 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.36 – 3.84 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.238 |
| Inclination | 14.5° |
| 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
- (3192) A'Hearn
- (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 8 August 2002
- (68947) Brunofunk
- (68948) Mikeoates
- (73491) Robmatson
- (78386) Deuzelur
- (78393) Dillon
- (84075) Peterpatricia
- (112798) Kelindsey
- (132798) Kurti
- (142014) Neirinck