(17270) Nolthenius Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 4 June 2000 by J. Broughton at Reedy Creek.
Richard Nolthenius (b. 1952) is a Californian astronomer with publications on subjects as diverse as dark matter, galaxies, black holes, asteroids and climate change. A well-known teacher, he developed and runs Cabrillo College's observatory and astronomy program, and is a prolific observer of occultations in his spare time.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 1, #1, 12), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Nolthenius is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Nolthenius is 3.10 au from the Sun and 4.07 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 17270 |
| Provisional designation | 2000 LB2 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 13.2 km (#3,628 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.0530 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.46 |
| Orbital period | 5.46 years |
| Semi-major axis | 3.10 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 3.03 – 3.17 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.0230 |
| Inclination | 7.12° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 2.01 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
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All asteroids named after someone called Richard
Also discovered on 4 June 2000
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