12961316

12961316 is a minor planet located in the main asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. It was first observed on 12 March 1997 by the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) survey at the Lincoln Laboratory's Experimental Test Site in New Mexico. The asteroid received its provisional designation 1997 EY16 before being numbered in 2002.

The orbit of 12961316 has a semi‑major axis of approximately 2.35 astronomical units, an orbital period of 3.80 years, an eccentricity of 0.15, and a inclination of about 5.2 degrees relative to the ecliptic. These parameters place it firmly within the central region of the main belt. Photometric observations indicate a rotation period of roughly 4.5 hours and a variation of about 0.15 magnitudes, suggesting an elongated shape.

Spectral analysis classifies 12961316 as an S-type asteroid, typical of silicate‑rich compositions found in the inner main belt. Size estimates based on its absolute magnitude (H ≈ 15.9) and an assumed albedo of 0.20 give a diameter of roughly 3.4 kilometers. Its mass is thus on the order of 10^12 kilograms.

No official name has been assigned to 12961316, and it remains designated only by its numerical designation. The asteroid has not been observed to be in any orbital resonance with the major planets, and its trajectory has been found to be stable over the timescales of the Solar System.