(11438) Zeldovich Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 29 August 1973 by T. M. Smirnova at Nauchnyj.
Russian theoretical physicist Yakov Borisovich Zeldovich (1914-1987) was the author of classic works on nuclear physics, the physics of combustion and explosion, astrophysics and cosmology. The name was suggested by the Institute of Applied Astronomy.Naming citation (20010509/MPCPages.arc), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Zeldovich is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Zeldovich is 2.58 au from the Sun and 2.76 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 11438 |
| Provisional designation | 1973 QR1 |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 5.04 km (#10,539 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.304 |
| Rotation period | 5.20 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.76 |
| Orbital period | 3.25 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.19 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.77 – 2.62 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.193 |
| Inclination | 2.84° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.756 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.
Also named after someone called Yakov
All asteroids named after someone called Yakov