(7561) Patrickmichel Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 7 October 1986 by E. Bowell at Anderson Mesa.
Named in honor of Patrick Michel (b. 1970), French dynamicist, who was the first to compute the locations and strengths of secular resonances in the inner solar system. He has also investigated the various effects that bear on the evolution of near-Earth and Mars-crossing objects. Michel's work on the evolution of (433) Eros has shown that, although it is possible for this object to strike the earth in the distant future, the probability of such an event remains low. Name suggested and citation prepared by A. Cellino and P. Farinella.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 5, #28, 6), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Patrickmichel is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Patrickmichel is 3.38 au from the Sun and 4.05 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 7561 |
| Provisional designation | 1986 TR2 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 12.95 |
| Orbital period | 4.63 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.78 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.10 – 3.45 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.242 |
| Inclination | 9.81° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.12 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Patrick
- (4099) Wiggins
- (4984) Patrickmiller
- (5919) Patrickmartin
- (6601) Schmeer
- (7511) Patcassen
- (8515) Corvan
- (9286) Patricktaylor
- (15128) Patrickjones
- (17108) Patricorbett
- (18009) Patrickgeer
- (18111) Pinet
- (18572) Rocher
All asteroids named after someone called Patrick
Also discovered on 7 October 1986
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- (3831) Pettengill
- (3850) Peltier
- (4091) Lowe
- (4629) Walford
- (4859) Fraknoi
- (5951) Alicemonet
- (9305) Hazard
- (19123) Stephenlevine