46380

46380 is a minor planet located in the outer region of the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered on September 24, 1997, by astronomers at the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) program, a collaborative project between NASA and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) aimed at identifying potentially hazardous asteroids and other near-Earth objects.

The asteroid is classified as a member of the outer main-belt group, which orbits the Sun at a greater distance than the majority of asteroids in the belt. Its orbit has a semi-major axis of approximately 3.19 astronomical units (AU), meaning it takes about 5.68 Earth years to complete one revolution around the Sun. The eccentricity of its orbit is relatively low, indicating a nearly circular path, while its inclination to the ecliptic plane is moderate at around 10.5 degrees.

46380 has a diameter of roughly 3.5 kilometers, making it a relatively small asteroid. Its surface composition is not well-documented, but it is likely composed of silicate materials, similar to many other asteroids in its region. Due to its distance from Earth and lack of notable brightness, it is not easily observable with amateur telescopes and remains largely unstudied beyond basic orbital characteristics.

The asteroid has not been named officially, retaining its provisional designation. It is one of millions of objects in the asteroid belt, and while it poses no known threat to Earth, its study contributes to the broader understanding of the solar system’s formation and structure. Observations of such objects help scientists refine models of planetary dynamics and the distribution of materials in the early solar system.