(5680) Nasmyth Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 30 December 1989 by R. H. McNaught at Siding Spring.
James Hall Nasmyth (1808–1890) was a Scottish engineer and astronomer, most famous for his invention of the steam hammer. In his later life he made a 20-inch reflecting telescope, developed the fixed Nasmyth focus, and studied the moon, publishing a book of ‘lunar’ photographs based on models made from his observations.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 3, #14, 7), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Nasmyth is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Nasmyth is 3.43 au from the Sun and 3.63 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 5680 |
| Provisional designation | 1989 YZ1 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 12.79 |
| Orbital period | 5.65 years |
| Semi-major axis | 3.17 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.72 – 3.63 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.143 |
| Inclination | 1.64° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.73 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called James
- (4445) Jimstratton
- (5310) Papike
- (5594) Jimmiller
- (5625) Jamesferguson
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- (6758) Jesseowens
- (8146) Jimbell
- (8621) Jimparsons
- (9007) James Bond
- (9420) Dewar
All asteroids named after someone called James
Also discovered on 30 December 1989
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