23396

23396 is a minor planet located in the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered on October 16, 1977, by the Soviet astronomer Nikolai Chernykh at the Crimean Astrophysical Observatory in Nauchnyi, Ukraine. The asteroid was given the provisional designation 1977 UO7 before being officially numbered and named.

23396 is classified as a main-belt asteroid, meaning it orbits the Sun primarily within the region between Mars and Jupiter. Its orbit has a semi-major axis of approximately 2.6 astronomical units (AU), taking roughly 4.2 years to complete one revolution around the Sun. The asteroid has an eccentricity of about 0.15, indicating a moderately elliptical orbit, and an inclination of around 11 degrees relative to the ecliptic plane.

Little is known about its physical properties, but estimates suggest it has a diameter of around 3 to 5 kilometers. Like many asteroids, 23396 is believed to be composed of rocky and metallic materials, though its exact composition remains unconfirmed. It has not been observed to exhibit any notable spectral features that would indicate the presence of unusual materials, such as water ice or carbon-rich compounds.

No significant discoveries or notable events are associated with 23396, and it has not been the subject of extensive scientific study. It remains an unremarkable member of the asteroid population, contributing to the broader understanding of the solar system’s structure and composition. Its designation follows the naming conventions of minor planets, where numbers are assigned sequentially as new objects are discovered and cataloged.