196080

196080 is the numbered designation of a minor planet, a small body that orbits the Sun. In the system of minor-planet numbering maintained by the Minor Planet Center, numbers are assigned once the object's orbit has been determined with sufficient accuracy. Objects may also carry provisional designations that reflect their discovery circumstances; after numbering, discoverers may propose a name, subject to approval by the International Astronomical Union, though not all numbered minor planets receive names.

Most objects with numbers in this range belong to the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter, though not all are constrained to that region. The orbital elements and physical properties of 196080—such as semi-major axis, eccentricity, inclination, diameter, and albedo—are tracked in public databases maintained by institutions like the JPL Small-Body Database and the Minor Planet Center. These data are drawn from astrometric observations and, when available, infrared or spectroscopic measurements.

In the broader context, studying numbered minor planets like 196080 helps astronomers understand the formation and evolution of the Solar System, the distribution of asteroid families, and the collisional history of the belt. They are routinely observed to refine orbital predictions and to identify any potential close approaches to planets.

For the most up-to-date details, including current orbital elements and any naming information, consult the Minor Planet Center database or the JPL Small-Body Database entry for 196080.