As minor planet discoveries are confirmed, they are given a permanent number by the IAU's Minor Planet Center (MPC), and the discoverers can then submit names for them, following the IAU's naming conventions. The list below concerns those minor planets in the specified number-range that have received names, and explains the meanings of those names.
Official naming citations of newly named small Solar System bodies are approved and published in a bulletin by IAU's Working Group for Small Bodies Nomenclature (WGSBN). [1] Before May 2021, citations were published in MPC's Minor Planet Circulars for many decades. [2] Recent citations can also be found on the JPL Small-Body Database (SBDB). [3] Until his death in 2016, German astronomer Lutz D. Schmadel compiled these citations into the Dictionary of Minor Planet Names (DMP) and regularly updated the collection. [4] [5]
Based on Paul Herget's The 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 the public domain : SBDB New namings may only be added 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]
Named minor planet | Provisional | This minor planet was named for... | Ref · Catalog |
---|---|---|---|
184011 Andypuckett | 2004 FT4 | Andrew W. Puckett (born 1977), an American college professor dedicated to creating authentic astronomical research opportunities for undergraduates and other ambitious young students. He is a discoverer of minor planets. | JPL · 184011 |
184064 Miner | 2004 GM | Ellis D. Miner (born 1937) was a JPL astronomer and scientist on the science teams of Mariner and Viking spacecraft, Assistant Project Scientist for Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 , and the Science Manager for Cassini–Huygens . He determined the rotational rate for asteroid 1566 Icarus in 1968 at JPL's Table Mountain Observatory. | JPL · 184064 |
184096 Kazlauskas | 2004 HB4 | Algirdas Kazlauskas (born 1949), Lithuanian astronomer and deputy director of the Institute of Theoretical Physics and Astronomy at Vilnius University | JPL · 184096 |
Named minor planet | Provisional | This minor planet was named for... | Ref · Catalog |
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There are no named minor planets in this number range |
Named minor planet | Provisional | This minor planet was named for... | Ref · Catalog |
---|---|---|---|
184275 Laffra | 2005 AX | Maurice Laffra (1886–1936) established the Orchestre Symphonique du Creusot in 1920 and served as its conductor during 1920–1922 | JPL · 184275 |
184280 Yperion | 2005 AQ47 | Hyperion (Yperion), from Greek mythology. The Trojan prince was one of the many sons of King Priam. | JPL · 184280 |
Named minor planet | Provisional | This minor planet was named for... | Ref · Catalog |
---|---|---|---|
184314 Mbabamwanawaresa | 2005 EO302 | Mbaba Mwana Waresa is a Zulu goddess of rain, agriculture, and the harvest. She is the goddess of rainbows, a symbol of the link between heaven and Earth. She is particularly revered for teaching the people of Southern Africa the art of making beer (Umqombothi). | JPL · 184314 |
184318 Fosanelli | 2005 GC1 | Patrik Fosanelli (born 1945), an active French amateur astronomer, involved in spectroscopy research at the Osenbach Observatory ( 630 ) in France. | JPL · 184318 |
Named minor planet | Provisional | This minor planet was named for... | Ref · Catalog |
---|---|---|---|
There are no named minor planets in this number range |
Named minor planet | Provisional | This minor planet was named for... | Ref · Catalog |
---|---|---|---|
184501 Pimprenelle | 2005 PV5 | Caroline Christophe (born 1978), daughter of French amateur astronomer Bernard Christophe who discovered this minor planet. Her nickname, Pimprenelle, was a puppet character on the 1970s French television show Bonne nuit les petits | JPL · 184501 |
184508 Courroux | 2005 PR16 | The Swiss village of Courroux, located near Delémont in the Jura Mountains | JPL · 184508 |
184535 Audouze | 2005 QN30 | Jean Audouze (born 1940), French astrophysicist | JPL · 184535 |
Named minor planet | Provisional | This minor planet was named for... | Ref · Catalog |
---|---|---|---|
184620 Pippobattaglia | 2005 RA24 | Pippo Battaglia (born 1947), Italian science popularizer and author of numerous books on astronomy | JPL · 184620 |
Named minor planet | Provisional | This minor planet was named for... | Ref · Catalog |
---|---|---|---|
184778 Kevinoberheim | 2005 TL27 | Kevin Oberheim (born 1983) is a civil engineer in the State of Maryland. His work helps provide for safe and reliable travel for thousands of people every day. | JPL · 184778 |
184779 Bericoberheim | 2005 TO27 | B. Eric Oberheim (born 1984) for his humanitarian efforts in Central America, and his continuing social work with non-governmental organizations. | JPL · 184779 |
184784 Bettiepage | 2005 TZ41 | Bettie Page (1923–2008), an American model and actor who became known as The Queen of the Pin-ups. | JPL · 184784 |
Named minor planet | Provisional | This minor planet was named for... | Ref · Catalog |
---|---|---|---|
184878 Gotlib | 2005 UK187 | Marcel Gotlieb (1934–2016), a French cartoonist from Paris known for the comics magazines L'Écho des savanes and Fluide Glacial | JPL · 184878 |
Named minor planet | Provisional | This minor planet was named for... | Ref · Catalog |
---|---|---|---|
184930 Gobbihilda | 2005 VU4 | Hilda Gobbi (1913–1988), one of Hungary's most recognizable character actresses. | JPL · 184930 |