266998

266998 is a minor planet in the outer region of the asteroid belt, approximately 10 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 10 October 2004, by astronomers at the Palomar Observatory in California, United States. The Minor Planet Center, operated by the International Astronomical Union, has credited the discovery to the Palomar Observatory Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking (PONEAR) program.

The object is classified as a non-family asteroid, meaning it does not belong to any known asteroid family. Its orbit is relatively stable, with a semi-major axis of approximately 3.1 astronomical units (AU), an eccentricity of about 0.1, and an inclination of around 10 degrees to the ecliptic plane. This places it in the outer main belt, a region where the majority of asteroids are found.

The spectral type of 266998 is not well-determined, but it is likely to be a C-type asteroid, which are common in the outer asteroid belt and are characterized by their dark, carbonaceous surfaces. The object's rotation period is not known, but it is expected to be relatively slow, given its size.

266998 has not been visited by any spacecraft, and its physical properties remain largely unknown. However, it is an interesting target for future studies, as it represents a relatively unaltered remnant of the early solar system.