(3444) Stepanian Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 7 September 1980 by N. S. Chernykh at Nauchnyj.
Named in honor of husband-and-wife staff members at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory for more than 30 years. Natalia Nikolaevna Stepanian, prominent astrophysicist, is head of the observatory's solar physics department. Arnol'd Artashesovich Stepanian, head of the γ-ray laboratory, initiated the construction of the unique 48-element telescope for the observatory's research on γ-ray sources.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 5, #17, 6), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Stepanian is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Stepanian is 2.36 au from the Sun and 3.13 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 3444 |
| Provisional designation | 1980 RJ2 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 6.42 km (#8,348 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.475 |
| Rotation period | 14.5 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 12.79 |
| Orbital period | 4.09 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.56 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.89 – 3.23 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.261 |
| Inclination | 6.46° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.914 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.