17971

17971 is a minor planet in the asteroid belt, located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered on October 1, 1960, by the Indiana Asteroid Program, a collaborative effort between Indiana University and the Goethe Link Observatory in Indiana, USA. The asteroid is named after the year of its discovery, 1971.

17971 has an estimated diameter of approximately 10 kilometers. Its orbit is relatively stable, with an orbital period of about 4.3 years. The asteroid's semi-major axis is 2.6 astronomical units (AU), and its eccentricity is 0.17. The inclination of its orbit to the ecliptic plane is about 13 degrees.

The spectral type of 17971 is S, which indicates that it has a stony composition. This is typical for many asteroids in the inner asteroid belt. The asteroid's rotation period is approximately 5.5 hours, and its light curve amplitude is about 0.15 magnitudes, suggesting a relatively spherical shape.

17971 is not a target for any specific space missions as of now, but it is part of ongoing studies of the asteroid belt and the formation of the solar system. Its orbit and composition provide valuable data for astronomers and planetary scientists.