157972

157972 is a minor planet in the asteroid belt, orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered on September 24, 1993, by astronomers Carolyn S. Shoemaker and David H. Levy at the Palomar Observatory in California, United States. The asteroid is part of the Flora family, a group of asteroids that share similar orbital characteristics and are believed to have originated from a single parent body that was disrupted by a collision.

157972 has an estimated diameter of about 5 kilometers (3 miles) and an orbital period of approximately 3.6 Earth years. Its orbit is inclined at an angle of about 10 degrees to the ecliptic plane, and it has an eccentricity of 0.12, indicating a relatively circular orbit. The asteroid's rotation period is not well-determined, but it is believed to be around 5.5 hours.

The spectral classification of 157972 is S-type, which indicates that it has a stony composition, similar to many other asteroids in the inner asteroid belt. The asteroid's surface is likely covered in silicate minerals and metals, with a low albedo (reflectivity) of about 0.15.

157972 is not a target for any planned missions or studies, as it is a small and relatively unremarkable asteroid. However, its discovery and characterization contribute to our understanding of the asteroid belt and the formation and evolution of the solar system.