(4901) O Briain Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 3 November 1988 by Arai, M., Mori, H. at Yorii.
Dara Ó Briain (b. 1972) is an Irish comedian who incorporates scientific topics into his stand-up routines. He studied mathematics and theoretical physics at UC Dublin. He also presents science- and mathematics-related programs for the general public on British television and he is a co-host on the BBC's Stargazing Live program.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 3, #12, 12), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where O Briain is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: O Briain is 2.30 au from the Sun and 1.75 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 4901 |
| Provisional designation | 1988 VJ |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 5.22 km (#10,192 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.282 |
| Rotation period | 2.65 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.69 |
| Orbital period | 3.43 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.27 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.84 – 2.71 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.190 |
| Inclination | 4.64° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.835 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also discovered on 3 November 1988
- (3956) Caspar
- (4453) Bornholm
- (4948) Hideonishimura
- (5030) Gyldenkerne
- (5432) Imakiire
- (5813) Eizaburo
- (6959) Mikkelkocha
- (7237) Vickyhamilton
- (14845) Hegel
- (27712) Coudray
- (37565) Hinoki
- (48422) Schrade