52409

52409 is a minor planet located in the asteroid belt between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered on October 16, 1991, by astronomers at the Palomar Observatory in California, United States. The object was officially designated as 1991 TY1 before being numbered and named in the asteroid catalog.

The asteroid has an estimated diameter of approximately 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) and orbits the Sun once every 4.6 years. Its orbit is relatively stable, with a low inclination of about 1.5 degrees to the ecliptic plane, meaning it does not pose a significant collision risk to Earth. The surface composition of 52409 is not well-documented, but it is likely a carbonaceous or silicate-rich body, common among asteroids in its region.

While 52409 does not have a formal name, it is sometimes referred to by its provisional designation or catalog number. It has not been extensively studied due to its small size and distance from Earth, but observations have been made using telescopes and remote sensing techniques. Asteroids like 52409 play a key role in understanding the early solar system, as they are remnants of the planetary formation process.

Researchers occasionally monitor near-Earth objects (NEOs) and main-belt asteroids to track their trajectories and physical properties. While 52409 remains unremarkable in terms of scientific attention, it contributes to the broader study of celestial mechanics and the distribution of minor planets in the solar system. Its classification as a main-belt asteroid aligns it with thousands of other rocky bodies sharing similar orbital characteristics.