(72012) Terute Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 4 December 2000 by BATTeRS at Bisei SG Center.
The name “Terute” comes from an ancient legend of Sagamiahra, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, involving a tragic love story. Remains dating back to the Paleolithic era have been found around the city. At the 2012 universe-themed festival, many citizens agreed on the name for this object.Naming citation (MPC batch dated 2013-08-21), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Terute is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Terute is 2.25 au from the Sun and 2.97 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 72012 |
| Provisional designation | 2000 XT10 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 2.34 km (#16,530 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.222 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 15.74 |
| Orbital period | 3.61 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.35 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.17 – 2.53 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.0755 |
| Inclination | 5.26° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.20 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also discovered on 4 December 2000
- (22173) Myersdavis
- (22174) Allisonmae
- (34666) Bohyunsan
- (63145) Choemuseon
- (67979) Michelory
- (72021) Yisunji
- (413033) Aerts