(9744) Nielsen Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 9 May 1988 by Shoemaker, C. S., Shoemaker, E. M. at Palomar.
As the physician responsible for the mental and physical fitness of a close-knit team of researchers, construction workers and support staff at the Amundsen-Scott South Pole research station, Jerri Nielsen (b. 1952) is noted for her friendship and concern for the “Polies” and her courage to face her own serious illness.Naming citation (20011130/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Nielsen is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Nielsen is 1.83 au from the Sun and 2.59 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 9744 |
| Provisional designation | 1988 JW |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 4.65 km (#11,332 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.316 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.7 |
| Orbital period | 4.22 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.61 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.83 – 3.39 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.299 |
| Inclination | 13.6° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.841 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.