(12994) Pitufo Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 2 March 1981 by S. J. Bus at Siding Spring.
Pitufo is the Spanish word for “Smurf”, the small, blue, human-like character created by Belgian cartoonist Pierre “Peyo” Culliford (1928–1992). Found in films, TV, video games and theme parks, the Smurfs are popular with children around the world. In Puerto Rico, the word pitufo is also used as a term of endearment and affection.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 4, #2, 5), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Pitufo is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Pitufo is 2.91 au from the Sun and 3.89 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 12994 |
| Provisional designation | 1981 ET27 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.63 |
| Orbital period | 5.06 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.95 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.87 – 3.02 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.0259 |
| Inclination | 2.22° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.86 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also discovered on 2 March 1981
- (2884) Reddish
- (2919) Dali
- (2980) Cameron
- (2981) Chagall
- (2990) Trimberger
- (3000) Leonardo
- (3121) Tamines
- (3122) Florence
- (3207) Spinrad
- (3252) Johnny
- (3304) Pearce
- (3524) Schulz