99331

99331 is a minor planet in the asteroid belt, located between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered on September 26, 1999, by the Lincoln Near-Earth Asteroid Research (LINEAR) project, a collaborative effort between the United States Air Force, NASA, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The asteroid is part of the Flora family, a group of asteroids that share similar orbital characteristics and are believed to have originated from a single parent body that was shattered by a collision.

The numerical designation 99331 indicates that it is the 99331st minor planet to be discovered. Minor planets, also known as asteroids, are rocky bodies that orbit the Sun but are too small to be classified as planets. They range in size from a few meters to hundreds of kilometers in diameter. 99331 has an estimated diameter of about 2.5 kilometers, based on its absolute magnitude and assumed albedo.

The orbit of 99331 is relatively stable, with a semi-major axis of approximately 2.2 astronomical units (AU), a perihelion distance of 1.9 AU, and an aphelion distance of 2.5 AU. Its orbital period is about 3.3 years. The asteroid's orbit is inclined at an angle of about 5 degrees to the ecliptic plane, and its eccentricity is low, indicating a nearly circular orbit.

The physical characteristics of 99331 are not well known, as it has not been studied in detail. Its spectral type is not determined, which makes it difficult to infer its composition. However, it is likely to be a stony asteroid, given its membership in the Flora family, which is known to consist of S-type asteroids.

99331 is not a near-Earth object, meaning its orbit does not bring it close to Earth's orbit. It poses no threat to our planet and is of no immediate concern for potential impacts. However, the study of minor planets like 99331 contributes to our understanding of the formation and evolution of the solar system.