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]
Roberto Clemente (1934–1972) was a Puerto Rican professional baseball player who played 18 seasons for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He died in a plane crash attempting to deliver supplies to earthquake victims in Managua, Nicaragua. He was the first Latin American player enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
Jean Giraud (1938–2012) was a French artist, cartoonist, and writer. Using an abstract and often surreal style, he produced a wide range of science fiction and fantasy works. He also contributed storyboards and concept designs to films such as Alien, The Fifth Element, Heavy Metal, the Abyss and Tron.
H. R. Giger (1940–2014), a Swiss painter, sculptor, set designer and film director.[9] His themes included science fiction, the occult, and fantasy. He was part of a team that won an Academy Award for Best Achievement in Visual Effects for its work on the film Alien.