4276 Clifford
Encyclopedia
The asteroid
4276 Clifford (previously known by the provisional designation (1981 XA) was discovered on December 2, 1981 by Edward L. G. Bowell
at Flagstaff Observatory. It was named in honor of astronomer
/author
Clifford Cunningham
. It is a member of the group of Main belt
asteroids known as Mars-crosser asteroid
s, specifically it is listed as an Outer-grazer
.
Asteroid
Asteroids are a class of small Solar System bodies in orbit around the Sun. They have also been called planetoids, especially the larger ones...
4276 Clifford (previously known by the provisional designation (1981 XA) was discovered on December 2, 1981 by Edward L. G. Bowell
Edward L. G. Bowell
Edward L. G. Bowell , known as "Ted", is an American astronomer. Bowell was educated at Emanuel School London, University College, London, and the Université de Paris....
at Flagstaff Observatory. It was named in honor of astronomer
Astronomer
An astronomer is a scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars and galaxies.Historically, astronomy was more concerned with the classification and description of phenomena in the sky, while astrophysics attempted to explain these phenomena and the differences between them using...
/author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
Clifford Cunningham
Clifford Cunningham
Clifford J. Cunningham is a Canadian-born astronomer and author of numerous books on asteroids. He obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Waterloo in 1976; upon enrollment, at age 15, he was the youngest student ever to attend UW. In 1991 he earned his BA in Classical Studies...
. It is a member of the group of Main belt
Asteroid belt
The asteroid belt is the region of the Solar System located roughly between the orbits of the planets Mars and Jupiter. It is occupied by numerous irregularly shaped bodies called asteroids or minor planets...
asteroids known as Mars-crosser asteroid
Mars-crosser asteroid
A Mars-crosser is an asteroid whose orbit crosses that of Mars. The known numbered Mars-crossers are listed here. They include the two numbered Mars trojans 5261 Eureka and ....
s, specifically it is listed as an Outer-grazer
Outer-grazer
Outer-grazer is a scheme of Sun Orbits, linked in with Inner-grazer. All six diagrams show the Sun in the middle and a putative planet's orbital band...
.