(15040) Zhangchao Main-belt Asteroid
Discovered on 1 December 1998 by Beijing Schmidt CCD Asteroid Program at Xinglong.
Zhang Chao (b. 1982) is a Chinese astronomy communicator, astrophotographer and microphotographer. His outreach and photography reveal the beauty of nature from microscopic to cosmic worlds to the general public. He also initiated a nationwide folk constellation survey that advanced cultural astronomy studies in China.Naming citation (WGSBN Bull. 6, #9, 11), IAU / Minor Planet Center, via NASA/JPL
Where Zhangchao is today
Seen from above the solar system on 2026-10-14: Zhangchao is 2.58 au from the Sun and 3.41 au from Earth. Computed from JPL's orbital elements.
Facts
| Number | 15040 |
| Provisional designation | 1998 XC |
| Orbit class | Main-belt Asteroid |
| Diameter | 5.01 km (#10,594 largest of 17,440 named asteroids with a measured size) |
| Albedo | 0.320 |
| Rotation period | 4.86 hours |
| Absolute magnitude (H) | 13.76 |
| Orbital period | 3.39 years |
| Semi-major axis | 2.26 au |
| Perihelion – aphelion | 1.93 – 2.59 au |
| Eccentricity | 0.147 |
| Inclination | 3.51° |
| Closest distance between its orbit and Earth's (MOID) | 0.925 au |
Data: NASA/JPL Small-Body Database and the IAU Minor Planet Center.