(3226) Plinius Main-belt Asteroid

Discovered on 24 September 1960 by van Houten, C. J., van Houten-Groeneveld, I., Gehrels, T. at Palomar.

Where Plinius is today

MercuryVenusEarthEarthMarsMarsPliniusPlinius

Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Plinius is 3.09 au from the Sun and 4.08 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.

Facts

Number3226
Provisional designation6565 P-L
Orbit classMain-belt Asteroid
Diameter7.02 km (#7,619 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size)
Albedo0.206
Absolute magnitude (H)13.32
Orbital period4.87 years
Semi-major axis2.87 au
Perihelion – aphelion2.65 – 3.09 au
Eccentricity0.0771
Inclination3.06°
Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID)1.66 au

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

Also discovered on 24 September 1960

More named asteroids discovered by van Houten, C. J., van Houten-Groeneveld, I., Gehrels, T.