(31189) Tricomi Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 27 December 1997 by P. G. Comba at Prescott.
Francesco Giacomo Tricomi (1897-1978) was a professor in Torino and a prolific researcher in classical mathematical analysis. In the 1920s he solved a partial differential equation with mixed (elliptic/hyperbolic) boundary conditions. In the 1940s Tricomi's equation became the basic tool for modeling transonic flow.Naming citation (20020328/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Tricomi is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Tricomi is 2.46 au from the Sun and 3.31 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 31189 |
| Provisional designation | 1997 YZ7 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 3.13 km (#14,870 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.237 |
| Rotation period | 4.90 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 15.06 |
| Orbital period | 4.04 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.53 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.05 – 3.02 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.192 |
| Inclination | 10.5° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.07 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Francesco
- (6892) Lana
- (7640) Marzari
- (7918) Berrilli
- (8266) Bertelli
- (9934) Caccioppoli
- (10875) Veracini
- (12722) Petrarca
- (15460) Manca
- (18102) Angrilli
- (18583) Francescopedani
- (20103) de Vico
- (20353) Gianotto
All asteroids named after someone called Francesco
Also discovered on 27 December 1997
- (8432) Tamakasuga
- (10234) Sixtygarden
- (15938) Bohnenblust
- (16861) Lipovetsky
- (31190) Toussaint
- (33103) Pintar
- (52649) Chrismith
- (65885) Lubenow