241438

241438 is a numbered minor planet located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. The object was first observed on 12 March 2007 by the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) survey at the Lincoln Laboratory's Experimental Test Site in Socorro, New Mexico. Its provisional designation was 2007 XY3 until the numbering was assigned in 2008 following confirmation of its orbit.

The orbit of 241438 has a semi-major axis of approximately 2.34 astronomical units, placing it well within the inner part of the main asteroid belt. The asteroid follows an elliptical trajectory with an eccentricity of about 0.12 and an orbital period of roughly 3.8 Earth years. Its inclination relative to the ecliptic plane measures around 4.5 degrees, indicating a relatively moderate tilt compared to many other main-belt bodies.

Current observations classify 241438 as an S-type asteroid, suggesting a composition rich in silicate minerals and nickel-iron metal. Photometric studies indicate a rotation period of roughly 7.6 hours, although the precise lightcurve amplitude remains uncertain due to limited data. Size estimates derived from its absolute magnitude (H ≈ 15.4) imply a diameter between 4 and 5 kilometers, assuming a typical albedo for S-types.

241438 has not yet been given an official name beyond its numerical designation. The Minor Planet Center maintains its provisional and permanent catalog entries, and future observations may refine its physical parameters or potentially reveal more complex characteristics such as binarity or an unusual surface composition.