(10140) Villon Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 19 September 1993 by E. W. Elst at Caussols.
Named in memory of François Villon (1431-1463), one of the greatest French lyric poets, known for his ballads, chansons and rondeaux. Le grand Testament is his master work. Herein he reviews his life, expressing his horror of sickness, old age, death and a poignant regret for his wasted youth. Known for his criminal excesses, he spent much time in prison, until he was condemned to be hanged (Ballade des pendus). However, in 1463 his sentence was commuted to banishment from Paris.Naming citation (19990728/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Villon is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Villon is 2.40 au from the Sun and 2.75 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 10140 |
| Provisional designation | 1993 SX4 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 4.79 km (#11,036 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.280 |
| Rotation period | 2.51 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.81 |
| Orbital period | 3.77 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.42 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.11 – 2.74 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.130 |
| Inclination | 2.62° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.11 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Francois
- (7865) Francoisgros
- (9349) Lucas
- (9553) Colas
- (9588) Quesnay
- (12898) Mignard
- (13180) Fourcroy
- (13560) La Perouse
- (14189) Sevre
- (19250) Poullain
- (24103) Dethury
- (31043) Sturm
- (31823) Viete
All asteroids named after someone called Francois
Also discovered on 19 September 1993
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- (7954) Kitao
- (8098) Miyamotoatsushi
- (10139) Ronsard
- (11084) Gio
- (11949) Kagayayutaka
- (11950) Morellet
- (13114) Isabelgodin
- (14004) Chikama
- (16646) Sparrman
- (17546) Osadakentaro
- (35169) Araake