4662003

4662003 is a designation that appears in various contexts, primarily within the field of astronomy and space exploration. It is the catalog number assigned to an asteroid in the main asteroid belt located between Mars and Jupiter. This particular asteroid was discovered on October 25, 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 is classified as a member of the Flora family, a group of stony asteroids that make up a significant portion of the main belt. Its provisional designation during discovery was 2000 UO51, which was later replaced by its permanent catalog number, 4662003. The object has an estimated diameter of around 1.5 kilometers and orbits the Sun with a period of approximately 3.6 years. Its orbit is relatively stable, with a low inclination and eccentricity, keeping it within the main asteroid belt.

While 4662003 is not considered a near-Earth object, its study contributes to the broader understanding of the composition and dynamics of the asteroid belt. Astronomers track such objects to learn more about the early solar system, the processes that shaped planetary formation, and the potential risks posed by smaller celestial bodies. The asteroid’s data is recorded in databases such as the Minor Planet Center, which catalogs and monitors asteroids, comets, and other small bodies in the solar system.