(17131) Paulazhu Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 12 May 1999 by LINEAR at Socorro.
Paula K. Zhu (b. 2002) was awarded second place in the 2019 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her cellular and molecular biology project. She attended the Albemarle High School, Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S.A.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 3, #8, 8), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Paulazhu is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Paulazhu is 2.71 au from the Sun and 1.80 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 17131 |
| Provisional designation | 1999 JL80 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 4.70 km (#11,232 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.220 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.16 |
| Orbital period | 5.16 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.99 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.69 – 3.28 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.0987 |
| Inclination | 10.6° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.68 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Paula
- (6015) Paularego
- (12482) Pajka
- (13841) Blankenship
- (30218) Paulaladd
- (51023) Benavidezlozano
- (170011) Szkody
All asteroids named after someone called Paula
Also discovered on 12 May 1999
- (16059) Marybuda
- (16060) Dahliadry
- (17124) Rishavalera
- (17125) Vijayakumar
- (17126) Sophiawang
- (17127) Ryanwestcott
- (17138) Burgosrosario
- (17139) Malyshev
- (17140) Yangkevin
- (17141) Bhatia
- (17143) Andrewbrinton
- (17144) Laurenchen