54279

The designation "54279" is primarily associated with the near-Earth asteroid **54279 (1999 JM8)**, a celestial object discovered on May 10, 1999, by astronomers at the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) program. This program is operated by MIT Lincoln Laboratory in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force and NASA to identify and track potentially hazardous asteroids.

54279 (1999 JM8) is classified as an Apollo-type asteroid, meaning its orbit crosses that of Earth and has a semi-major axis greater than Earth’s. It has an estimated diameter of approximately 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles) and orbits the Sun once every 1.8 years. The asteroid’s orbit occasionally brings it relatively close to Earth, though it is not currently considered a significant impact threat. NASA’s Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) monitors its trajectory to assess any future close approaches.

Beyond its astronomical significance, "54279" has no widely recognized cultural, historical, or alternative meanings outside of scientific contexts. The numbering system used for asteroids follows the order of their discovery, with 54279 being assigned sequentially as part of the official catalog maintained by the Minor Planet Center.

While 54279 (1999 JM8) is not among the most studied near-Earth objects, its inclusion in databases like the Minor Planet Center and JPL Small-Body Database ensures ongoing observation for potential future research or mission planning. Its designation remains relevant primarily within the fields of planetary science and space exploration.