170178

170178 is a minor planet in the asteroid belt, located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered on October 1, 1999, by astronomers at the Lincoln Laboratory ETS in Socorro, New Mexico. The asteroid is approximately 2 kilometers in diameter and has an orbital period of about 3.6 Earth years. Its orbit is inclined at an angle of 10.5 degrees to the ecliptic plane and has an eccentricity of 0.15, indicating a relatively circular orbit.

The designation 170178 is assigned by the Minor Planet Center, which is responsible for the identification and cataloging of minor planets. The number is part of a sequential system used to identify asteroids as they are discovered. The name "170178" is temporary and will be replaced with a permanent name once the asteroid's orbit is well-determined and its physical characteristics are known.

The asteroid's spectral type is not yet determined, but it is likely to be a common type found in the asteroid belt, such as C-type or S-type. These types are classified based on their reflectance spectra, which can provide information about the asteroid's composition and surface properties.

170178 is one of many thousands of asteroids in the asteroid belt, which is a region of space where most of the asteroids in the Solar System are found. The study of these asteroids can provide valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the Solar System.