6137 Johnfletcher (1991 BY)
Classification: Outer Main-belt Asteroid
I feel very proud and delighted to have had an asteroid named after me.
My close friend and most famous astronomer Sir Patrick Moore had put my name forward to Brian Marsden at Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge MA 02138 U.S.A. The recommendation was approved at the Minor Planet Centre. I thank all who were involved in giving me this wonderful honour.
I was first notified that asteroid number 6137 formerly 1991 BY had been given my name on 2008 June 25, my Mothers birthday.
The listings, including mine, can be found on the "New Names Of Minor Planets" on MPC 63172. dated
2008 June 18,
From various listings.
6137 Johnfletcher Discovered 1991 Jan. 25 by A. Natori and T. Urata at Yakiimo.
British amateur astronomer John Fletcher (b. 1947) lives in Tuffley, near Gloucester, where he regularly makes
observations of minor planets. As a broadcaster and lecturer he is also very active in educational work. The name
was suggested by P. Moore.
Position of object on 2008 June 18 at 23.00hrs UT.
(6137) Johnfletcher mag 17.2
Right ascension: 9h30m08.568s
Declination: N15 30' 23.10"
Mean position at current epoch:
Right ascension: 9h30m08.568s
Declination: N15 30' 23.10"
Apparent position at current epoch:
Right ascension: 9h30m08.543s
Declination: N15 30' 27.84"
Dist from home planet: 3.71245891 AU (555,375,948 km)
Heliocentric position: lon 154.30242 lat 0.81144
Heliocentric radius 3.18654 AU
98.40% illuminated
Phase angle: 14.52 degrees
Elongation from Sun 51.85 degrees (evening sky)
Speed of apparent motion: 45.849"/hour at position angle 116.1
Motion is -0.27 degrees/day in RA, -0.13 degrees/day in dec Motion is -0.28 degrees/day in RA, -0.14 degrees/day
in dec
Preliminary designation: 1991 BY
Discovery date: 1991 Jan 25
Discoverer's name: Natori, A., Urata, T.
Discovered at: Yakiimo
Assumed asteroid diameter 41.6 km
Comments from the MPCORB database:
Designation: (6137) Johnfletcher
Absolute magnitude: 11.0
Slope parameter: 0.15
Orbital elements:
Semimajor axis: 3.2160278
Eccentricity: 0.0619906
Inclination of orbit: 15.43370
Argument of perihelion: 91.92512
Long. ascending node: 337.24309
Mean anomaly: 71.83899
Mean daily motion: 0.17089304 degrees/day
Epoch of elements: 14 May 2008
Uncertainty level: 0
419 observations made at 12 oppositions
Orbital arc: 1956-2006
Last observed: 2006 08 23
RMS residual: 0.59
Perturbing objects used in orbit: M-v
Orbit computed by MPC
Orbit based on the JPL DE403 positions and masses
Reference: MPO104058
Perihelion distance 3.0166643 AU
Aphelion distance 3.4153913 AU
Period of orbit 5.77 years (2106.6 days)
Date of perihelion JD 2454180.12601 (20 Mar 2007 15:01)