(3579) Rockholt Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 18 December 1977 by M. Lovas at Piszkesteto.
The lifelong affection of Ronald Rockholt Sr. (b. 1928) for the stars led him to pursuits in aviation, rocketry, telescope making and astronomy. Most importantly, he is recognized for inspiring two generations of rural California students to love science through his innovative, hands-on teaching. The name was suggested by K. Beatty.Naming citation (20001013/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Rockholt is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Rockholt is 3.01 au from the Sun and 2.12 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 3579 |
| Provisional designation | 1977 YA |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 6.91 km (#7,756 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.120 |
| Spectral type | B |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.88 |
| Orbital period | 4.52 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.73 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.76 – 3.70 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.355 |
| Inclination | 31.2° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.953 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Ronald
- (2285) Ron Helin
- (6949) Zissell
- (9852) Gora
- (9923) Ronaldthiel
- (10508) Haughey
- (11724) Ronaldhsu
- (13497) Ronstone
- (16813) Ronmastaler
- (17853) Ronaldsayer
- (18239) Ekers
- (20465) Vervack
- (21451) Fisher
All asteroids named after someone called Ronald
More named asteroids discovered by M. Lovas
← (3578) Carestia · (3580) Avery →