24712 is a designation that can refer to several different entities. In the realm of astronomy, 24712 is the catalog number for a minor planet located in the asteroid belt. Discovered in 1991 by astronomer Schelte J. Bus, it is a stony asteroid. Its orbit places it between Mars and Jupiter. Further observations are ongoing to determine its precise composition and characteristics. The number 24712 also appears in other contexts, such as within specific datasets or organizational identifiers. For example, it might be a product code, a serial number, or part of a larger numbering scheme used by a company or institution. The specific meaning of 24712 in these instances would be dependent on the context in which it is found and is not universally defined. Without additional information, it is difficult to provide further details on these less prominent uses of the number.