99421

99421 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 24, 1981, by American astronomer Edward L. G. Bowell at the Anderson Mesa Station of the Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona. The asteroid was given the provisional designation 1981 UH21 before receiving its permanent number and name.

99421 is classified as a main-belt asteroid, meaning it orbits the Sun primarily within the asteroid belt. Its orbit has a semi-major axis of approximately 3.1 astronomical units (AU), taking about 5.5 years to complete one revolution around the Sun. The asteroid has a relatively circular orbit with a low inclination to the ecliptic plane, indicating a stable and predictable path.

Little is known about the physical properties of 99421 due to its small size and distance. Estimates suggest its diameter is around 2 to 3 kilometers. Like many asteroids, its surface composition is likely a mix of rocky and metallic materials, though detailed spectral analysis has not been conducted. It has not been observed to exhibit any unusual characteristics such as cometary activity or a binary companion.

99421 has not been named officially by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), so it remains designated by its numerical catalog number. It is one of millions of asteroids in the solar system, and its study contributes to the broader understanding of the early solar system’s formation and evolution. Observations of such objects help astronomers refine models of planetary dynamics and the distribution of materials in the asteroid belt.