52343

52343 is a minor planet located in the outer region of the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered on October 17, 1992, by astronomers at the Palomar Observatory in California, United States. The object was given the provisional designation 1992 TB1 before being officially numbered and named.

The asteroid has an estimated diameter of approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) and follows an elliptical orbit around the Sun with a period of about 5.1 years. Its distance from the Sun ranges from roughly 2.5 astronomical units (AU) at perihelion (closest approach) to about 3.9 AU at aphelion (farthest point). This places it in the outer asteroid belt, where many other long-period asteroids reside.

52343 is classified as a member of the outer main-belt asteroids, which are distinct from the more densely populated inner belt. Its orbit is relatively stable, with no known close approaches to Earth or other planets that pose a collision risk. The asteroid’s surface composition and physical properties remain largely unstudied, though it is likely composed of silicate materials similar to other C-type asteroids, which are common in the outer belt.

No formal name has been assigned to 52343, and it remains designated by its numerical identifier. Its study contributes to understanding the distribution and dynamics of asteroids in the outer regions of the main belt, providing insights into the early solar system’s formation and evolution. Observations of such objects help astronomers refine models of planetary migration and the thermal history of the asteroid belt.