(172269) Tator Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 9 October 2002 by Martin, A., Boeker, A. at Mulheim-Ruhr.
Michael Tator (1956-2009) was a German amateur astronomer and co-founder of Turtle Star Observatory in Muelheim-Ruhr. In 1995 he started astrometric work at the observatory that led to the discovery of this minor planet.Naming citation (20100130/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Tator is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Tator is 2.62 au from the Sun and 3.20 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 172269 |
| Provisional designation | 2002 TJ69 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 15.71 |
| Orbital period | 4.57 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.76 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.15 – 3.36 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.220 |
| Inclination | 8.56° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.18 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Michael
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- (4477) Kelley
- (4599) Rowan
- (5373) Michaelkurtz
- (5554) Keesey
- (5569) Colby
- (6406) Mikejura
- (6569) Ondaatje
- (7738) Heyman
- (7936) Mikemagee
- (8032) Michaeladams
- (8129) Michaelbusch
All asteroids named after someone called Michael