(13669) Swammerdam Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 3 May 1997 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Jan Swammerdam (1637-1680) was one of the first entomologists to use the microscope to study insects. His anatomic research on frog muscles led to a correct understanding of the nerve-muscle function, refuting Greek physician Galen's and Descartes' ideas of moving spirits being responsible for muscle contraction.Naming citation (MPC batch dated 2013-07-22), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Swammerdam is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Swammerdam is 2.33 au from the Sun and 1.69 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 13669 |
| Provisional designation | 1997 JS14 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 2.40 km (#16,462 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.338 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 15.19 |
| Orbital period | 4.04 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.54 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.32 – 2.75 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.0835 |
| Inclination | 2.39° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.32 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Jan
- (2308) Schilt
- (3791) Marci
- (3847) Sindel
- (6266) Letzel
- (6834) Hunfeld
- (7218) Skacel
- (7221) Sallaba
- (7701) Zrzavy
- (7849) Janjosefric
- (8149) Ruff
- (9239) van Riebeeck
- (9259) Janvanparadijs
All asteroids named after someone called Jan
Also discovered on 3 May 1997
- (9239) van Riebeeck
- (9446) Cicero
- (9447) Julesbordet
- (10612) Houffalize
- (11349) Witten
- (12052) Aretaon
- (12490) Leiden
- (12491) Musschenbroek
- (12492) Tanais
- (12845) Crick
- (13211) Stucky
- (13212) Jayleno
More named asteroids discovered by E. W. Elst
- (3631) Sigyn
- (3784) Chopin
- (3870) Mayre
- (3903) Kliment Ohridski
- (3910) Liszt
- (3912) Troja
- (3918) Brel
- (4038) Kristina
- (4226) Damiaan
- (4342) Freud
- (4344) Buxtehude
- (4345) Rachmaninoff
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