(8647) Populus Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 2 September 1989 by E. W. Elst at Haute Provence.
Named for Populus, a genus belonging to the family Salicaceae. Populus nigra (black poplar) is a fast-growing tree with a height of about 30 m, whereas Populus tremula (trembling aspen) is easily recognizable by its shimmering appearance.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 2, #9, 4), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Populus is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Populus is 2.51 au from the Sun and 2.88 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 8647 |
| Provisional designation | 1989 RG |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 3.89 km (#13,015 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.322 |
| Rotation period | 2.54 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.12 |
| Orbital period | 3.43 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.28 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.90 – 2.65 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.165 |
| Inclination | 3.91° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.916 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.