326001

326001 is an asteroid located in the outer region of the main asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered on October 24, 2000, by astronomers using the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) program, a collaborative project between the United States Air Force, NASA, and MIT. The asteroid has been classified as a member of the outer main-belt population, which orbits the Sun at a greater distance than most other asteroids in the belt.

326001 has an estimated diameter of approximately 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) and follows a relatively stable orbit with a period of about 5.5 years. Its orbit is slightly elliptical, with a perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) of around 3.2 astronomical units (AU) and an aphelion (farthest distance from the Sun) of roughly 4.7 AU. This places it in the region known as the outer main belt, where other notable asteroids like 10 Hygiea and 704 Interamnia reside.

Little is known about the physical properties of 326001 beyond its size and orbital characteristics. It has not been extensively studied, and its composition remains unclassified. Most asteroids in this region are believed to be remnants from the early solar system, composed primarily of silicates, metals, or carbon-rich materials, but specific details for 326001 are lacking. Its designation follows the naming convention used by the Minor Planet Center, where the number indicates its sequential discovery order among near-Earth and main-belt asteroids.

While 326001 does not pose any known threat to Earth, its study contributes to our understanding of the distribution and dynamics of asteroids in the outer main belt. Observations of such objects help astronomers refine models of solar system formation and the evolution of rocky bodies in the early solar nebula.