746 Marlu
746 Marlu (provisional designations A913 EJ and 1913 QY) is a large asteroid orbiting the Sun in the main portion of the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered on 1 March 1913 at Heidelberg by F. Kaiser. Marlu completes one revolution every 2,010 days (5.50 years), with a moderately eccentric and inclined orbit that carries it from 2.38 AU at perihelion to 3.85 AU at aphelion. It is not classified by NASA JPL as a potentially hazardous object, as the closest point between its orbit and Earth's orbit is 1.41 AU.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Discovery | 1 March 1913, Heidelberg, by F. Kaiser; provisional designations A913 EJ and 1913 QY1 |
| Orbit | Semi-major axis 3.111 AU, eccentricity 0.236, inclination 17.48°, period 5.49 years (about 2,004 days)2 |
| Distance from the Sun | Perihelion 2.38 AU, aphelion 3.85 AU3 |
| Hazard status | Not a near-Earth object and not a potentially hazardous object; its orbit stays at least 1.41 AU from Earth's orbit3 |
Orbit and classification
Marlu orbits the Sun in the main portion of the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, completing one revolution every 2,010 days (5.50 years).3 Its orbit is moderately eccentric and inclined, carrying it from 2.38 AU at perihelion to 3.85 AU at aphelion.3
Because its orbit does not bring it near Earth, NASA JPL has not classified Marlu as a potentially hazardous object, and orbital simulations by JPL's CNEOS show no close approaches to Earth.3 The closest point between its orbit and Earth's orbit is 1.41 AU.3
Physical properties
Three infrared surveys have measured Marlu's size and reflectivity: the Infrared Astronomical Satellite (IRAS), the Japanese Akari satellite, and NASA's NEOWISE mission from the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE).
Rotation and shape
A convex shape model from the DAMIT database, maintained by the Astronomical Institute of Charles University in Prague, gives a sidereal spin period of 7.78887 hours and two possible spin-axis solutions at ecliptic coordinates (202.0°, −66.0°) and (64.0°, −27.0°).2
Observation record
Marlu's orbit is determined from observations dating back to 12 September 1915, with 7,246 observations recorded by the IAU Minor Planet Center; it was last officially observed on 4 July 2023.3 The Czech Planety database lists 8,332 observations across 46 oppositions spanning 1915 to 2026.1
References
- Planetka Marlu (746), Planety, University of West Bohemia
- Marlu Shape Model, Space Reference
- Asteroid Marlu, Space Reference
Topic: Encyclopedia › Places and geography › Extraterrestrial places › Small bodies of the Solar System › Main-belt asteroids and numbered minor planets › Outer-belt asteroids
Initially written Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 25, 2026
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