215963

215963 is a minor planet in the asteroid belt, located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered on October 29, 1999, by the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) project, a collaborative effort between the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory, the United States Air Force, and NASA. The asteroid is designated as 215963 by the Minor Planet Center, which is responsible for the designation and cataloging of minor planets.

The orbital characteristics of 215963 are typical of main-belt asteroids. It has a semi-major axis of approximately 2.5 astronomical units (AU), an orbital period of about 4 years, and an eccentricity of around 0.1. Its inclination to the ecliptic is roughly 15 degrees. These parameters place it within the inner region of the asteroid belt, where most asteroids are found.

The size of 215963 is estimated to be around 2 kilometers in diameter, based on its absolute magnitude and assumed albedo. Its spectral type is not well-determined, but it is likely to be a common S-type asteroid, which are composed of silicate materials and nickel-iron.

215963 does not have any known moons or companions. Its rotation period is not precisely known, but it is estimated to be around 5 to 6 hours. The asteroid's surface is likely covered in regolith, a layer of loose, unconsolidated material resulting from micrometeoroid impacts.

The study of 215963 and other asteroids provides valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the solar system. By analyzing their composition, orbit, and other properties, scientists can better understand the processes that shaped our planetary neighborhood.