(31556) Shatner Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 13 March 1999 by R. A. Tucker at Goodricke-Pigott.
William Shatner (b. 1931) is a Canadian actor. Best known for portraying Captain James Tiberius Kirk in Star Trek, he has attained the status of cultural icon. His character has inspired people to become writers, researchers, pilots and astronauts. Shatner is also a well-known author and director.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 3, #13, 13), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Shatner is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Shatner is 2.37 au from the Sun and 3.08 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 31556 |
| Provisional designation | 1999 EP5 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.94 |
| Orbital period | 4.41 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.69 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.10 – 3.29 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.221 |
| Inclination | 4.80° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.08 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
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All asteroids named after someone called William
Also discovered on 13 March 1999
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