308842

308842 is a minor planet in the outer region of the asteroid belt, orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered on October 13, 2005, by the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) project, an initiative of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory. The asteroid is classified as a main-belt asteroid, which are the most common type of asteroids, making up the majority of the asteroid belt.

The asteroid has an estimated diameter of approximately 2.5 kilometers, based on its absolute magnitude. Its orbit is relatively stable, with an orbital period of about 3.6 Earth years. The semi-major axis of its orbit is roughly 2.6 astronomical units (AU), and its eccentricity is low, indicating a nearly circular orbit.

308842 has a spectral type of S, which suggests that it is composed of silicate materials, similar to many other asteroids in the inner asteroid belt. This classification is based on its reflectance spectrum, which can be used to infer the composition of the asteroid's surface.

The asteroid's name, 308842, is its provisional designation in the Minor Planet Center's database. As of now, it has not been named, and the naming process is typically reserved for asteroids that have been observed over a longer period or have significant scientific interest.

308842 is one of the many small bodies that populate the asteroid belt, contributing to our understanding of the early solar system and the processes that shaped it. Its study can provide insights into the formation and evolution of asteroids and the dynamics of the solar system.