(39529) Vatnajokull Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 3 November 1989 by E. W. Elst at La Silla.
Vatnajökull (Glacier of Lakes) is the largest glacier in Iceland, covering 8 percent of the country. Under its surface there are several volcanoes. During the last ice age, numerous volcanic eruptions occurred under the glacier. Recently, the area is again the scene of heavy volcanic eruptions.Naming citation (MPC batch dated 2014-10-08), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Vatnajokull is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Vatnajokull is 2.65 au from the Sun and 3.63 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 39529 |
| Provisional designation | 1989 VJ1 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 1.81 km (#17,205 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.195 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 16.0 |
| Orbital period | 3.55 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.33 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.99 – 2.67 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.146 |
| Inclination | 8.06° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.991 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.