(20392) Mikeshepard Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 19 June 1998 by LONEOS at Anderson Mesa.
Michael Shepard (b. 1962), a professor of geology and geosciences at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, specializes in radar and optical remote sensing of the minor and the terrestrial planets. The name was suggested by S. J. Ostro.Naming citation (20080321/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Mikeshepard is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Mikeshepard is 2.93 au from the Sun and 3.91 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 20392 |
| Provisional designation | 1998 MA8 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 11.9 km (#4,140 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.0230 |
| Rotation period | 29.2 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.37 |
| Orbital period | 4.92 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.89 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.61 – 3.18 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.0981 |
| Inclination | 15.9° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.63 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 19 June 1998
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- (14566) Hokule`a
- (14567) Nicovincenti
- (15977) Pyraechmes
- (20393) Kevinlane
- (21522) Entwisle
- (24988) Alainmilsztajn
- (44194) Urmuz
- (44195) Michaelcordova