(6781) Sheikhumarrkhan Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 19 July 1990 by E. F. Helin at Palomar.
Sheik Humarr Khan (1975–2014) was a Sierra Leonean virologist. Over his career, he saved hundreds of lives treating those with Lassa fever. In 2014, he led his nation's fight against a deadly Ebola outbreak, saving even more lives and inspiring others with his bravery.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 5, #7, 4), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Sheikhumarrkhan is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Sheikhumarrkhan is 3.27 au from the Sun and 3.52 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 6781 |
| Provisional designation | 1990 OD |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 9.17 km (#5,637 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.0630 |
| Rotation period | 6.18 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.16 |
| Orbital period | 4.27 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.63 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.99 – 3.27 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.244 |
| Inclination | 11.9° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.00 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Sierra
All asteroids named after someone called Sierra
Also discovered on 19 July 1990
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