(31555) Wheeler Main-belt Asteroid

Discovered on 7 March 1999 by S. Sposetti at Gnosca.

John Archibald Wheeler (b. 1911), one of the world's finest theoretical physicists, was a professor at Princeton and later at the University of Texas. From nuclear physics and quantum theory, to relativity and gravitation, Wheeler's work has set the trajectory of research for more than half a century.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 4, #9, 5), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL

Where Wheeler is today

MercuryVenusEarthEarthMarsMarsWheelerWheeler

Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Wheeler is 2.17 au from the Sun and 3.16 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.

Facts

Number31555
Provisional designation1999 EV2
Orbit classMain-belt Asteroid
Absolute magnitude (H)15.19
Orbital period3.43 years
Semi-major axis2.27 au
Perihelion – aphelion2.17 – 2.38 au
Eccentricity0.0466
Inclination6.91°
Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID)1.18 au

Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.

Also named after someone called John

Also discovered on 7 March 1999

More named asteroids discovered by S. Sposetti