(8245) Molnar Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 8 September 1977 by S. J. Bus at Palomar.
Lawrence A. Molnar (b. 1959) is a professor of physics and astronomy and Observatory Director at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, MI. He engages and trains students in the techniques of minor-planet lightcurve photometry, following through with the publication of new results.Naming citation (20120506/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Molnar is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Molnar is 2.73 au from the Sun and 1.74 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 8245 |
| Provisional designation | 1977 RC9 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 3.60 km (#13,706 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.260 |
| Rotation period | 4.72 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.66 |
| Orbital period | 3.74 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.41 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.06 – 2.76 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.145 |
| Inclination | 1.45° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.06 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Lawrence
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