(23738) van Zyl Mars-crossing Asteroid
Discovered on 1 May 1998 by NEAT at Haleakala.
Jakob “Japie” van Zyl (1957–2020) was a pioneer in understanding the Earth system using remote sensing data. A prolific researcher, passionate mentor, and outstanding leader, Jakob rose throughout his 33-year JPL career to become Director of Solar System Exploration and Associate Director of JPL for Strategy.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 1, #1, 14), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where van Zyl is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: van Zyl is 1.78 au from the Sun and 2.74 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 23738 |
| Provisional designation | 1998 JZ1 |
| Orbit class | Mars-crossing Asteroid |
| Rotation period | 6.29 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.74 |
| Orbital period | 3.17 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.16 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.53 – 2.78 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.292 |
| Inclination | 5.80° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.523 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also discovered on 1 May 1998
- (11726) Edgerton
- (11727) Sweet
- (11728) Einer
- (12101) Trujillo
- (12527) Anneraugh
- (17851) Kaler
- (17853) Ronaldsayer
- (20360) Holsapple
- (20361) Romanishin
- (20362) Trilling
- (21495) Feaga
- (21496) Lijianyang
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