[meteorite-list] How Do We Name Asteroids?

From: lebofsky at lpl.arizona.edu <lebofsky_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed, 29 Jun 2011 11:11:59 -0700
Message-ID: <5c794bbebb948872f28d95fa33401d57.squirrel_at_webmail.lpl.arizona.edu>

Kevin

Asteroids are named by their discoverer. I am not sure what happens if
that person has passed away. So, you need someone to "nominate" you,
someone who has an asteroid that can be names (and does not belong to a
special family with special rules such as a trojan asteroid), and someone
to write the citation (short and sweet). Then it has to be submitted to
the proper IAU committee aand then they get to approve it or not.

Larry

> Team Meteorite:
>
>
> Ron Baalke kindly published a list of persons/places that have been
> honored by having their names attached to an asteroid. He even has one
> named after himself - 6524 Baalke. I was surprised to see asteroids
> named after some of my present and worthy friends and colleagues
>
>
> I can think of many other folks that should have this honor. Richard
> Norton (obvious), Darryl Pitt (meteorite photography), Robert Haag
> (met marketing), David New (first thin section sales), Ernst Chladni
> (first "important" researcher), Gustav Tschermak (microscopic work),
> Frederick Leonard (originated forerunner to Met Soc), G. Prior (author
> of first Cat of Mets).
>
>
> I can think of more "nominees" and I doubt we'll run out of asteroids.
>
>
> I know my mother would be proud if I had one named after me :>)
>
>
> Can anyone comment on what qualifications are neccesary to achieve this
> honor?
>
>
> And I wonder if a person selected for this honor gets his/her choice
> of asteroid i.e. carbonaceous, differentiated, etc.?
>
>
> Kevin Kichinka
> MARSROX at gmail.com
> www.theartofcollectingmeteorites.com
> www.LaQ-CostaRica.com
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Received on Wed 29 Jun 2011 02:11:59 PM PDT