(73491) Robmatson Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 8 August 2002 by S. F. Hoenig at Palomar.
Robert D. Matson (b. 1962) is a keen amateur astronomer with special interests in planetary science. Besides being a successful meteorite hunter, Matson is internationally recognized for his satellite-tracking software SkyMap. He also found 15 SOHO comets and is credited with more than 200 discoveries of minor planets.Naming citation (20040306/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Robmatson is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Robmatson is 2.34 au from the Sun and 3.18 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 73491 |
| Provisional designation | 2002 PO164 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.96 |
| Orbital period | 4.34 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.66 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.32 – 3.01 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.130 |
| Inclination | 12.9° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.33 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Robert
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