(2987) Sarabhai Main-belt Asteroid

Discovered on 24 September 1960 by van Houten, C. J., van Houten-Groeneveld, I., Gehrels, T. at Palomar.

Where Sarabhai is today

MercuryVenusEarthEarthMarsMarsSarabhaiSarabhai

Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Sarabhai is 2.74 au from the Sun and 3.70 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.

Facts

Number2987
Provisional designation4583 P-L
Orbit classMain-belt Asteroid
Diameter18.0 km (#2,503 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size)
Albedo0.0791
Absolute magnitude (H)12.44
Orbital period4.91 years
Semi-major axis2.89 au
Perihelion – aphelion2.69 – 3.08 au
Eccentricity0.0665
Inclination1.02°
Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID)1.71 au

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

Also discovered on 24 September 1960

More named asteroids discovered by van Houten, C. J., van Houten-Groeneveld, I., Gehrels, T.