(16447) Vauban Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 3 September 1989 by E. W. Elst at Haute Provence.
Sébastien Le Prestre, Seigneur de Vauban (1633–1707) was a French marshal and strategist of genius, building many forts for the defense of his country. Renowned for his great humanity, he investigated the causes of poverty in France, made proposals for an equitable tax-system and pleaded for religious tolerance.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 4, #10, 7), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Vauban is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Vauban is 3.05 au from the Sun and 3.76 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 16447 |
| Provisional designation | 1989 RX |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 12.6 km (#3,869 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.0930 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.12 |
| Orbital period | 4.42 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.69 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.16 – 3.23 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.198 |
| Inclination | 7.18° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.17 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Sebastien
All asteroids named after someone called Sebastien