(13531) Weizsacker Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 13 September 1991 by Borngen, F., Schmadel, L. D. at Tautenburg.
Carl Friedrich Freiherr von Weizsäcker (b. 1912), German physicist and philosopher, was involved in nuclear physics, quantum theory and astronomy. Together with H. Bethe, he explained the radiation energy of stars by processes of nuclear fusion. He also developed a theory for the formation of the solar system.Naming citation (20000523/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Weizsacker is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Weizsacker is 3.26 au from the Sun and 4.21 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 13531 |
| Provisional designation | 1991 RU4 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 8.71 km (#5,982 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.134 |
| Rotation period | 17.6 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.19 |
| Orbital period | 5.31 years |
| Semi-major axis | 3.04 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 2.81 – 3.28 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.0783 |
| Inclination | 8.27° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 1.81 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Carl
- (2044) Wirt
- (3360) Syrinx
- (5493) Spitzweg
- (6058) Carlnielsen
- (6175) Cori
- (7414) Bosch
- (7911) Carlpilcher
- (7973) Koppeschaar
- (8058) Zuckmayer
- (8268) Goerdeler
- (8677) Charlier
- (9180) Samsagan
All asteroids named after someone called Carl
Also discovered on 13 September 1991
- (5338) Michelblanc
- (5628) Preussen
- (6044) Hammer-Purgstall
- (6966) Vietoris
- (7586) Bismarck
- (7767) Tomatic
- (7945) Kreisau
- (9761) Krautter
- (9762) Hermannhesse
- (9863) Reichardt
- (10096) Colleenohare
- (12729) Berger