(10709) Ottofranz Main-belt Asteroid

Discovered on 24 January 1982 by E. Bowell at Anderson Mesa.

Lowell Observatory astronomer Otto G. Franz (b. 1931) has studied binary stars using photography, area scanning techniques, speckle interferometry, by means of spectroscopic measurements of radial velocity, and using the Fine Guidance Sensors of the Hubble Space Telescope. The name was suggested by L. H. Wasserman.Naming citation (20050125/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL

Where Ottofranz is today

MercuryVenusEarthEarthMarsMarsOttofranzOttofranz

Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Ottofranz is 2.15 au from the Sun and 2.37 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.

Facts

Number10709
Provisional designation1982 BE1
Orbit classMain-belt Asteroid
Diameter4.50 km (#11,642 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size)
Albedo0.134
Rotation period5.40 hours
Absolute magnitude (H)13.7
Orbital period4.08 years
Semi-major axis2.56 au
Perihelion – aphelion2.08 – 3.03 au
Eccentricity0.185
Inclination6.51°
Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID)1.10 au

Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.

Also named after someone called Lowell

Also discovered on 24 January 1982

More named asteroids discovered by E. Bowell