42643

42643 is a minor planet located in the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered on October 28, 1999, by astronomers at the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) program, an initiative sponsored by NASA and operated by MIT Lincoln Laboratory. The asteroid was given the provisional designation 1999 TG16 before being officially numbered and named.

42643 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 2.5 kilometers, though its exact size and composition remain subjects of ongoing study.

Little is known about the physical properties of 42643, such as its surface composition or rotation period. It does not appear to have any known satellites or unusual orbital characteristics that distinguish it from other main-belt asteroids. Due to its relatively small size and distance from Earth, it is not considered a near-Earth object and poses no known threat of collision with our planet.

Research into 42643 primarily focuses on understanding the broader population of asteroids in the main belt, their formation, and their role in the early solar system. Observations of such objects help scientists refine models of planetary formation and the distribution of materials in the solar system. While 42643 itself has not been extensively studied, it contributes to the broader body of knowledge about asteroids through automated surveys and remote sensing techniques.