(20723) Siltala Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 11 December 1999 by LINEAR at Socorro.
Lauri Siltala (b. 1990) is a Finnish astronomer whose Ph.D. research developed novel methods for asteroid mass and density estimation using Gaia astrometry and close encounters. He now contributes to the High Frontiers space mission, advancing deep-space regolith excavation and planetary defense.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 6, #11, 34), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Siltala is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Siltala is 3.09 au from the Sun and 3.90 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 20723 |
| Provisional designation | 1999 XH113 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 5.73 km (#9,333 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.102 |
| Rotation period | 4.76 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.27 |
| Orbital period | 4.22 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.61 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.12 – 3.10 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.189 |
| Inclination | 12.5° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.11 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Lauri
All asteroids named after someone called Lauri