3671 Dionysus

Also known as Dionysus

asteroid

Key facts

Discovered by: C. S. Shoemaker , E. M. Shoemaker
Discovery site: Palomar Observatory
Discovery date: 27 May 1984
Pronunciation: / d aɪ ə ˈ n aɪ s ə s /
Named after: Διόνυσος Dionȳsos
Alternative designations: 1984 KD
Minor planet category: PHA
Adjectives: Dionysian / d aɪ ə ˈ n ɪ s i ə n /
Observation arc: 11629 days (31.84 yr)
Aphelion: 3.389527126 AU (507.0660407 Gm )
Perihelion: 1.00825538 AU (150.832858 Gm)
Semi major axis: 2.198891253 AU (328.9494493 Gm)

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Article

3671 Dionysus is a small binary Amor asteroid, orbiting between Earth and the asteroid belt. It was discovered by Carolyn and Gene Shoemaker at Palomar Observatory on 27 May 1984. It is named after Dionysus, the Greek god of wine. Its provisional designation was 1984 KD. It is an outer Earth grazer because its perihelion is just within Earth's orbit.

Potentially hazardous object