196503

The designation "196503" refers to a minor planet, or asteroid, located in the outer region of the main asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered on March 24, 2003, by astronomers using the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) program, an initiative sponsored by NASA and operated by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory. The asteroid was officially numbered and cataloged by the Minor Planet Center, a body responsible for collecting observational data on minor planets and comets.

196503 is classified as a main-belt asteroid, meaning it orbits the Sun within the broad band of rocky debris that lies between Mars and Jupiter. Its orbit is relatively stable, with a semi-major axis of approximately 2.7 astronomical units (AU), where one AU is the average distance between the Earth and the Sun. The asteroid has an estimated diameter of around 2.5 kilometers, though precise measurements can vary based on observational data and assumptions about its composition and reflectivity.

Little is known about the physical characteristics of 196503 beyond its orbital parameters and rough size estimates. Like many asteroids, it likely has an irregular shape and a surface composed of rock and possibly some metallic elements. No specific naming convention or designation beyond its provisional catalog number has been assigned to it, as many minor planets remain unnamed due to the vast number of discoveries and the priority given to more well-studied objects.

Observations of 196503 contribute to the broader understanding of the asteroid belt's composition and dynamics. Astronomers continue to monitor such objects to study the early solar system's formation and the processes that shaped the distribution of asteroids today. While not a particularly notable asteroid in terms of scientific interest, its cataloging remains important for tracking near-Earth objects and understanding the broader population of minor planets.