Orwell orbits the Sun in the outer main-belt at a distance of 2.6–3.6 AU once every 5 years and 6 months (1,993 days). Its orbit has an eccentricity of 0.15 and an inclination of 3° with respect to the ecliptic.[1]
It was first observed as 1979 SA9 at Crimea–Nauchnij in 1979, extending the body's observation arc by 5 years prior to its official discovery observation at Klet.[3]
This minor planet was named for British writer Eric Blair (1903–1950), better known by his pen name George Orwell, who is associated with the year of the object's discovery, 1984, due to his dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, which explores the dangers of totalitarian rule. He is also known for the novel Animal Farm. The name was proposed by Czech astronomer Jana Tichá at Klet and supported by Brian G. Marsden.[2] The approved naming citation was published by the Minor Planet Center on 23 May 2000 (M.P.C. 40705).[6]
