(8327) Weihenmayer Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 6 May 1981 by Shoemaker, C. S., Shoemaker, E. M. at Palomar.
Erik Weihenmayer (b. 1968), sightless since age 13, holds the unique distinction of being the first blind mountain climber to conquer Mt. Everest. His sense of adventure, courage, fortitude and perseverance have also led him to the summits of Denali, Kilimanjaro and Aconcagua.Naming citation (20011101/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Weihenmayer is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Weihenmayer is 2.96 au from the Sun and 1.97 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 8327 |
| Provisional designation | 1981 JE3 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 8.83 km (#5,890 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.0680 |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 14.05 |
| Orbital period | 4.37 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.67 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.29 – 3.06 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.145 |
| Inclination | 1.42° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.28 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Erik
- (7292) Prosperin
- (7939) Asphaug
- (9438) Satie
- (10270) Skoglov
- (11307) Erikolsson
- (11521) Erikson
- (15170) Erikdeul
- (15621) Erikhovland
- (23801) Erikgustafson
- (24066) Eriksorensen
- (33044) Erikdavy
- (129955) Eriksyrstad
All asteroids named after someone called Erik
Also discovered on 6 May 1981
- (2742) Gibson
- (2773) Brooks
- (2982) Muriel
- (3837) Carr
- (3972) Richard
- (6204) MacKenzie
- (8326) Paulkling
- (12680) Bogdanovich