39499

39499 is a number that appears in various contexts, including astronomy, mathematics, and popular culture. It is most notably associated with the designation of an asteroid discovered in the outer regions of the solar system.

The asteroid, officially named **39499 Donquixote**, was first observed on February 17, 1973, by astronomer Charles Kowal at the Palomar Observatory in California. It is classified as a Jupiter-family comet and a near-Earth object, though its orbit is highly eccentric, bringing it close to both Jupiter and the inner solar system. Donquixote has a retrograde orbit, meaning it moves in the opposite direction to most planets and asteroids in the solar system. Its orbit takes approximately 20 years to complete, with a perihelion (closest approach to the Sun) of about 1.4 astronomical units (AU) and an aphelion (farthest distance) of roughly 10 AU, extending beyond Jupiter’s orbit.

The name "Donquixote" is derived from *Don Quixote*, the famous novel by Miguel de Cervantes, reflecting the asteroid’s unusual and somewhat "tilted" orbital path. It is one of the few known retrograde objects in the solar system, making it an object of interest for astronomers studying orbital dynamics and the evolution of celestial bodies.

Beyond astronomy, the number 39499 has appeared in other contexts, such as numbering systems in databases, serial numbers, or as a placeholder in various technical or administrative settings. However, its most significant recognition remains tied to the asteroid’s discovery and its distinctive orbital characteristics.