(128611) Paulnowak Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 20 August 2004 by CSS at Catalina.
Paul Nowak (b. 1957) is the Flight System Business Manager for the OSIRIS-REx Asteroid Sample Return Mission. In addition, Paul has been the business manager contributing significantly to other NASA missions by overseeing the development on the MAVEN, JUNO, GRAIL and the Phoenix Lander missions.Naming citation (MPC batch dated 2016-11-14), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Paulnowak is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Paulnowak is 2.67 au from the Sun and 3.24 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 128611 |
| Provisional designation | 2004 QB21 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 15.81 |
| Orbital period | 4.23 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.62 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.95 – 3.28 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.256 |
| Inclination | 5.94° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.956 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Paul
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- (6726) Suthers
- (6870) Pauldavies
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All asteroids named after someone called Paul
Also discovered on 20 August 2004
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