(296945) Ronaldlaub Main-belt Asteroid

Discovered on 16 February 2010 by Pan-STARRS 1 at Haleakala.

Ronald L. Laub (b. 1937) dedicated his career to astronomy in the United States. After 22 years as site supervisor at Lick Observatory, he transferred to Keck Observatory where he was facility manager. After 2004, he continued to serve astronomy in the critical role of preserving the dark skies in Hawaii via tireless advocacy with citizens and officials.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 3, #6, 5), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL

Where Ronaldlaub is today

MercuryVenusEarthEarthMarsMarsRonaldlaubRonaldlaub

Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Ronaldlaub is 2.42 au from the Sun and 1.69 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.

Facts

Number296945
Provisional designation2010 DD78
Orbit classMain-belt Asteroid
Absolute magnitude (H)16.96
Orbital period3.75 years
Semi-major axis2.41 au
Perihelion – aphelion2.26 – 2.57 au
Eccentricity0.0642
Inclination5.81°
Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID)1.25 au

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

Also named after someone called Ronald

Also discovered on 16 February 2010

More named asteroids discovered by Pan-STARRS 1