(21294) Yamaguchiyuko Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 7 November 1996 by Endate, K., Watanabe, K. at Kitami.
Yuko Yamaguchi (1952–2019) was an artist who painted wooden tablets that were offered to a Shinto shrine or Buddhist temple when praying for divine protection. She was also active as an amateur astronomer in Hida Furukawa, Japan.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 3, #2, 7), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Yamaguchiyuko is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Yamaguchiyuko is 2.08 au from the Sun and 2.16 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 21294 |
| Provisional designation | 1996 VZ8 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 15.14 |
| Orbital period | 3.41 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.27 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.90 – 2.63 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.161 |
| Inclination | 1.98° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.899 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Yuko
All asteroids named after someone called Yuko
Also discovered on 7 November 1996
- (8417) Lancetaylor
- (8419) Terumikazumi
- (8575) Seishitakeuchi
- (8577) Choseikomori
- (8728) Mimatsu
- (10608) Mameta
- (10884) Tsuboimasaki
- (10885) Horimasato
- (12012) Kitahiroshima
- (12013) Sibatahosimi
- (19314) Nakamuratetsu
- (19315) Aizunisshinkan