(15273) Ruhmkorff Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 8 April 1991 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Heinrich D. Ruhmkorff (1803-1877) was a German researcher who invented the Ruhmkorff coil, used in many physical experiments where high voltages are needed. The coil was applied for energizing discharge tubes, notably for generating x-rays.Naming citation (20060413/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Ruhmkorff is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Ruhmkorff is 2.61 au from the Sun and 2.00 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 15273 |
| Provisional designation | 1991 GQ3 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.7 |
| Orbital period | 4.19 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.60 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.22 – 2.98 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.147 |
| Inclination | 12.1° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.26 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Heinrich
- (3635) Kreutz
- (4297) Eichhorn
- (5762) Wanke
- (7873) Boll
- (8053) Kleist
- (8811) Waltherschmadel
- (9133) d'Arrest
- (10509) Heinrichkayser
- (15724) Zille
- (16761) Hertz
- (31032) Scheidemann
- (215868) Rohrer
All asteroids named after someone called Heinrich
Also discovered on 8 April 1991
- (6487) Tonyspear
- (6647) Josse
- (6912) Grimm
- (7126) Cureau
- (7179) Gassendi
- (8277) Machu-Picchu
- (8369) Miyata
- (8665) Daun-Eifel
- (8852) Buxus
- (9180) Samsagan
- (9339) Kimnovak
- (9592) Clairaut