Asminor planet discoveries are confirmed, they are given a permanent number by theIAU'sMinor Planet Center (MPC), and the discoverers can then submit names for them, following the IAU'snaming conventions. The list below concerns those minor planets in the specified number-range that have received names, and explains the meanings of those names.
Based onPaul Herget'sThe Names of the Minor Planets,[6] Schmadel also researched the unclear origin of numerous asteroids, most of which had been named prior to World War II. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain: SBDB New namings may only beadded to this list below after official publication as the preannouncement of names is condemned.[7] The WGSBN publishes a comprehensive guideline for the naming rules of non-cometary small Solar System bodies.[8]
Joan Dunham (b. 1944) has a PhD in aerospace engineering and is the Secretary/Treasurer of the International Occultation Timing Association. She has been active in the field since 1966 when she began observing and analyzing occultations at the US Naval Observatory. This work continued during subsequent employment with NASA contractors and into retirement.
Robert Otis Green (born 1960) has provided leadership and expertise in imaging spectroscopy for Earth and Planetary Science since joining the JPL in 1983. His knowledge of phenomenology and instrumentation is deep and broad, his science is first class, and his passion for discovery is infectious.
Koji Matsumoto (born 1968) is a Japanese planetary geodesist. He has contributed to the SELENE mission analysis of the lunar gravity field and to the Hayabusa2 mission analysis of the spacecraft trajectory using LIDAR data.
Philip Metzger (born 1962) is an Associate Scientist at the Florida Space Institute (Orlando, Florida) and a leader in the study of the mechanical properties of Lunar and asteroid regoliths including how rocket exhaust interacts with regolith and requirements to protect Apollo sites from damage.
Ovidiu Vaduvescu (born 1967) is a Romanian astronomer at ING (La Palma, Spain) whose career has spanned several countries. A dedicated observer, he has worked on near-Earth asteroids and dwarf galaxies. Many students and amateur astronomers have benefited from his teaching skills.
Erick Meza (born 1980) is the principal researcher for a new 1-m telescope at the Peruvian Space Agency, CONIDA (Moquegua, Peru). His work includes telescope commissioning, astrometry for stellar occultation predictions, and studying Pluto's atmosphere.
Satoko Kumasaki (born 1958) has devoted herself to elementary education since 1992. She organized the Primary Education Study Group at the Kawai Institute for Culture and Education.
Clair Blackburn (1940–2018) was a tireless and infectiously positive force for astronomy education and outreach in Tonopah, Nevada. He was an early adopter and supporter of the Research and Education Collaborative Occultation Network.
James Tuttle Keane (born 1987) is a postdoctoral researcher at the California Institute of Technology studying the tidal evolution of solar system planets, satellites, and small bodies, who also has a talent for clear illustration of planetary processes.
Takashige Okauchi (born 1938) contributed to the recovery and investigation of the meteorite "Kokubunji Inseki". He participated in the activities of theJapan Spaceguard Association, such as "Spaceguard Tanteidan".
Emil Škrabal, Czech construction engineer and amateur astronomer, member of the Czech Society for Interplanetary Matter and an honorary member of the Czech Astronomical Society
James Edward (Red) Sumner Jr. (born 1948) has distinguished himself as a stellar occultation observer. In particular, he has provided essential education and outreach support for the Research and Education Collaborative Occultation Network.
Angela M. Stickle (born 1984) is a planetary scientist at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Dr. Stickle specializes in impact physics and kinetic asteroid deflection.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain: SBDB New namings may only beadded to this list below after official publication as the preannouncement of names is condemned.[7] The WGSBN publishes a comprehensive guideline for the naming rules of non-cometary small Solar System bodies.[8]