Carl Leo Stearns (1892-November 28, 1972) was an American astronomer.
After graduating from Wesleyan University in 1917 with high honors in general scholarship and special honors in mathematics, Stearns received his PhD from Yale University.
From 1960–71, after serving as an assistant, he became director of the Van Vleck Observatory; the second to hold that position.
It was observed for 4 years after perihelion until 1931 at a record distance of 11.5 AU.
It is difficult to explain its activity based on water-dominated ice.