(15004) Vallerani Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 7 December 1997 by Tombelli, M., Forti, G. at Cima Ekar.
Ernesto Vallerani (b. 1936) has participated in numerous important European and international scientific programs, notably playing a key role in space activities in Italy's Piedmont region. The name was suggested by F. Bevilacqua and C. Casacci.Naming citation (20040713/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Vallerani is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Vallerani is 3.12 au from the Sun and 3.47 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 15004 |
| Provisional designation | 1997 XL10 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 9.62 km (#5,330 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.182 |
| Rotation period | 24.3 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 12.92 |
| Orbital period | 5.14 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.98 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.64 – 3.31 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.112 |
| Inclination | 11.5° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.66 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Ernesto
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- (21236) Moneta
- (21581) Ernestoruiz
- (34587) Vieiraneto
- (39699) Ernestocorte
- (95951) Ernestopalomba
- (120361) Guido
All asteroids named after someone called Ernesto
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