10261

10261 refers to a minor planet located in the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered on September 19, 1960, by the Dutch astronomer Cornelis Johannes van Houten, Ingrid van Houten-Groeneveld, and Tom Gehrels during the Palomar–Leiden Trojan Survey. The asteroid is named after the Dutch astronomer and mathematician Adriaan van Maanen, though it was initially designated as 2060 P-L before receiving its permanent number and name.

10261 is classified as a main-belt asteroid, meaning it orbits the Sun primarily between Mars and Jupiter. Its orbit has a semi-major axis of approximately 2.8 astronomical units (AU), with an orbital period of around 4.7 years. The asteroid has an estimated diameter of about 10 kilometers and a relatively dark surface, reflecting only about 4% of the sunlight it receives.

Little is known about its physical properties beyond its size and albedo, as it lacks distinctive spectral features that would indicate a specific composition. Observations suggest it may belong to the S-type (stony) or possibly the M-type (metallic) asteroid classes, though further study is needed to confirm its exact nature.

10261 has not been the subject of extensive research due to its relatively small size and lack of unusual characteristics. It remains one of millions of unremarkable asteroids in the main belt, contributing to the broader understanding of the region’s composition and dynamics. Its designation and naming reflect the contributions of astronomers involved in its discovery and the broader field of planetary science.