(9203) Myrtus Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 9 October 1993 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Named for Myrtaceae, the myrtle family of aromatic trees and shrubs, with more than 100 genera and nearly 4000 species. This family is typical of the Southern Hemisphere, where the Eucalyptus genus is prevalent. Myrtus communis (common myrtle) is a species native to the Mediterranean and is cultivated as far north as England.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 2, #9, 6), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Myrtus is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Myrtus is 3.06 au from the Sun and 2.60 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 9203 |
| Provisional designation | 1993 TM16 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 18.2 km (#2,472 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.0400 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 12.64 |
| Orbital period | 5.62 years |
| Semi-major axis | 3.16 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.81 – 3.52 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.112 |
| Inclination | 2.57° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.79 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also discovered on 9 October 1993
- (7098) Reaumur
- (8299) Tealeoni
- (8395) Rembaut
- (8541) Schalkenmehren
- (9383) Montelimar
- (9384) Aransio
- (9385) Avignon
- (10358) Kirchhoff
- (12363) Marinmarais
- (12759) Joule
- (12760) Maxwell
- (12761) Pauwels