26236

26236 is a minor planet located in the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered on October 28, 1998, by astronomers at the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) program, a collaborative project between the United States Air Force, NASA, and MIT. The asteroid was given the provisional designation 1998 UO25 before being officially numbered and named by the Minor Planet Center.

26236 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 about 4.2 years to complete one revolution around the Sun. The asteroid has an estimated diameter of around 3 kilometers (1.9 miles), based on observations of its brightness and reflectivity.

Little is known about its physical properties, but its surface composition is likely similar to other carbonaceous chondrite asteroids, which are rich in carbon compounds and silicates. Spectroscopic studies suggest it may have a relatively dark surface due to its low albedo, meaning it reflects only a small portion of the sunlight that reaches it.

26236 has not been extensively studied due to its relatively small size and distance from Earth. It does not pose any known threat to our planet, as its orbit does not bring it close to Earth’s trajectory. Most of the information about this asteroid comes from its discovery observations and subsequent tracking by astronomers.

While not as well-known as larger or more dynamically significant asteroids, 26236 contributes to the broader understanding of the asteroid belt’s composition and structure. Its study helps scientists refine models of planetary formation and the distribution of materials in the early solar system.