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 "slug": "746-marlu",
 "title": "746 Marlu",
 "updated": "2026-10-25",
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 "excerpt": "746 Marlu is a large main-belt asteroid discovered by F. Kaiser at Heidelberg on 1 March 1913, larger than 99 percent of asteroids and not potentially hazardous.",
 "snippet": "746 Marlu is a large main-belt asteroid discovered by F. Kaiser at Heidelberg on 1 March 1913, larger than 99 percent of asteroids and not potentially hazardous.",
 "node": "places.extraterrestrial.small-bodies.asteroids-main-belt.outer-belt-asteroids",
 "markdown": "# 746 Marlu\n\n**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](https://www.edgepedia.org/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](https://www.edgepedia.org/earths-orbit) is 1.41 AU.\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Discovery | 1 March 1913, Heidelberg, by F. Kaiser; provisional designations A913 EJ and 1913 QY<sup>[1](https://astronomia.zcu.cz/planety/planetka-746)</sup> |\n| Orbit | Semi-major axis 3.111 AU, eccentricity 0.236, inclination 17.48°, period 5.49 years (about 2,004 days)<sup>[2](https://www.spacereference.org/asteroid/746-marlu-a913-ej/shape)</sup> |\n| Distance from the Sun | Perihelion 2.38 AU, aphelion 3.85 AU<sup>[3](https://www.spacereference.org/asteroid/746-marlu-a913-ej)</sup> |\n| Hazard status | Not a near-Earth object and not a potentially hazardous object; its orbit stays at least 1.41 AU from Earth's orbit<sup>[3](https://www.spacereference.org/asteroid/746-marlu-a913-ej)</sup> |\n\n## Orbit and classification\n\nMarlu 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).<sup>[3](https://www.spacereference.org/asteroid/746-marlu-a913-ej)</sup> Its orbit is moderately eccentric and inclined, carrying it from 2.38 AU at perihelion to 3.85 AU at aphelion.<sup>[3](https://www.spacereference.org/asteroid/746-marlu-a913-ej)</sup>\n\nBecause 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.<sup>[3](https://www.spacereference.org/asteroid/746-marlu-a913-ej)</sup> The closest point between its orbit and Earth's orbit is 1.41 AU.<sup>[3](https://www.spacereference.org/asteroid/746-marlu-a913-ej)</sup>\n\n## Physical properties\n\nThree infrared surveys have measured Marlu's size and reflectivity: the [Infrared Astronomical Satellite](https://www.edgepedia.org/infrared-astronomical-satellite) (IRAS), the Japanese Akari satellite, and NASA's NEOWISE mission from the [Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer](https://www.edgepedia.org/wide-field-infrared-survey-explorer) (WISE).\n\n## Rotation and shape\n\nA 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°).<sup>[2](https://www.spacereference.org/asteroid/746-marlu-a913-ej/shape)</sup>\n\n## Observation record\n\nMarlu'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.<sup>[3](https://www.spacereference.org/asteroid/746-marlu-a913-ej)</sup> The Czech Planety database lists 8,332 observations across 46 oppositions spanning 1915 to 2026.<sup>[1](https://astronomia.zcu.cz/planety/planetka-746)</sup>\n\n## References\n\n1. [Planetka Marlu (746), Planety, University of West Bohemia](https://astronomia.zcu.cz/planety/planetka-746)\n2. [Marlu Shape Model, Space Reference](https://www.spacereference.org/asteroid/746-marlu-a913-ej/shape)\n3. [Asteroid Marlu, Space Reference](https://www.spacereference.org/asteroid/746-marlu-a913-ej)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Places and geography › Extraterrestrial places › Small bodies of the Solar System › Main-belt asteroids and numbered minor planets › Outer-belt asteroids*\n\n*Initially written Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n",
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 "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/746-marlu",
 "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/746-marlu.md",
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  "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0",
  "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license",
  "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.",
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 "credit": "\"746 Marlu\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/746-marlu. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.",
 "credit_md": "\"[746 Marlu](https://www.edgepedia.org/746-marlu)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/746-marlu](https://www.edgepedia.org/746-marlu). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).",
 "credit_html": "\"<a href=\"https://www.edgepedia.org/746-marlu\">746 Marlu</a>\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), <a href=\"https://www.edgepedia.org/746-marlu\">https://www.edgepedia.org/746-marlu</a>. <a href=\"https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\">Edgepedia Community License 1.0</a>.",
 "speakable": "746 Marlu is a large main-belt asteroid discovered by F. Kaiser at Heidelberg on 1 March 1913, larger than 99 percent of asteroids and not potentially hazardous."
}