(7978) Niknesterov Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 27 September 1978 by L. I. Chernykh at Nauchnyj.
Nikolaj Semenovich Nesterov (1947-2002), head of the Radioastronomy Department at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory for many years, was known for his research on the sun and active galaxies, fine structure of galaxies and molecular composition of interstellar clouds.Naming citation (20030501/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Niknesterov is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Niknesterov is 2.18 au from the Sun and 2.28 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 7978 |
| Provisional designation | 1978 SR4 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 15.16 |
| Orbital period | 3.16 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.15 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.83 – 2.47 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.149 |
| Inclination | 1.03° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.827 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Nikolaj
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- (5075) Goryachev
- (5087) Emel'yanov
- (5158) Ogarev
- (6483) Nikolajvasil'ev
All asteroids named after someone called Nikolaj
Also discovered on 27 September 1978
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