(14072) Volterra Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 21 May 1996 by P. G. Comba at Prescott.
Vito Volterra (1860-1940), professor successively at Pisa, Turin and Rome, developed a general theory of functionals that yielded solutions to integral and integro-differential equations. He also studied mathematico-biological models of prey-predator systems, in terms of a pair of first-order differential equations.Naming citation (20000523/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Volterra is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Volterra is 2.65 au from the Sun and 1.80 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 14072 |
| Provisional designation | 1996 KN |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 11.6 km (#4,286 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.0570 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.53 |
| Orbital period | 5.60 years |
| Semi-major axis | 3.15 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.65 – 3.66 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.160 |
| Inclination | 1.85° |
| 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 Vito
All asteroids named after someone called Vito