(4570) Runcorn Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 14 August 1985 by E. Bowell at Anderson Mesa.
Named in memory of Stanley Keith Runcorn (1922-1995), British geophysicist. Runcorn's research centered on the magnetic properties of rocks. He used their paleomagnetic signatures to make an important contribution to the emerging theory of plate tectonics, and he also studied the magnetism of the moon, convection in planetary interiors, and geomagnetic polarity reversals. For many years head of the department of physics at the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Runcorn was celebrated for his organization of NATO-sponsored international scientific discussion meetings.Naming citation (19961026/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Runcorn is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Runcorn is 1.96 au from the Sun and 2.94 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 4570 |
| Provisional designation | 1985 PR |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 3.94 km (#12,877 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.952 |
| Rotation period | 233 hours |
| Spectral type | Sa |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.43 |
| Orbital period | 3.26 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.20 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.96 – 2.44 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.109 |
| Inclination | 5.02° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.959 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Stanley
All asteroids named after someone called Stanley
Also discovered on 14 August 1985
- (3327) Campins
- (4338) Velez
- (4373) Crespo
- (4664) Hanner
- (4694) Festou
- (7640) Marzari
- (8075) Roero
- (9013) Sansaturio
- (9300) Johannes
- (10042) Budstewart
- (10043) Janegann
- (12225) Yanfernandez