87361

The identifier "87361" is primarily associated with astronomical observations and cataloging systems. It is a designation used in the Minor Planet Center’s database to reference specific celestial objects, particularly asteroids. The number indicates the sequential order in which the object was officially recognized and cataloged by the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

The asteroid designated as 87361 was discovered on January 22, 2000, by astronomers at the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) program, a collaborative project between NASA, the U.S. Air Force, and MIT Lincoln Laboratory. LINEAR is renowned for its contributions to the detection and tracking of near-Earth objects (NEOs), including asteroids and comets that may pose a potential threat to Earth.

87361 is classified as a main-belt asteroid, meaning it orbits the Sun primarily between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Its orbit is relatively stable, and there is no significant risk of it colliding with Earth. The object’s precise orbital characteristics, such as its semi-major axis, eccentricity, and inclination, are documented in astronomical databases like the Minor Planet Center’s Small-Body Database.

Beyond its numerical designation, 87361 lacks a formal name, as many newly discovered asteroids initially receive only provisional or numerical identifiers until further observations confirm their orbits and justify a permanent name. The naming process typically involves proposals from discoverers, followed by approval by the IAU’s Working Group for Small Bodies Nomenclature.

For researchers and enthusiasts, 87361 serves as a reference point in studies of asteroid dynamics, composition, and the broader structure of the solar system. Its inclusion in astronomical surveys helps scientists refine models of planetary formation and the distribution of minor bodies in the solar system.