(16552) Sawamura Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 16 September 1991 by Endate, K., Watanabe, K. at Kitami.
Tsuneo Sawamura (b. 1928) invented a new anti-corrosion solder in Japan. It is being used by NASA for the electrical systems in space shuttles.Naming citation (20060219/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Sawamura is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Sawamura is 2.44 au from the Sun and 3.03 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 16552 |
| Provisional designation | 1991 SB |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 7.30 km (#7,308 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.0760 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.53 |
| Orbital period | 3.77 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.42 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.10 – 2.74 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.133 |
| Inclination | 2.50° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.11 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.