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9 votes
1 answer
2k views

Did the temporary asteroid name DA₄₂ arise naturally and fortuitously (as a precursor to a Douglas Adams namesake)? Or did someone help it along?

42 (Number) just might be the longest Wikipedia page for a single number integer. In the Astronomy subsection of that article it says: In January 2004, asteroid 2001 DA42 was given the permanent name ...
uhoh's user avatar
  • 30.7k
3 votes
3 answers
722 views

How many asteroids are named after musicians? Is there a searchable list for this?

Spot checking Wikipedia, Google and JPL's Horizions I found several musicians right away, including Lou Reed, Elvis, Freddy Mercury, and David Bowie. Is there a way to find all of the asteroids that ...
uhoh's user avatar
  • 30.7k
4 votes
1 answer
362 views

How did Biden become VP? (naming of 2012 VP113)

The Carnegie Science article Solar System's Edge Redefined describes the discovery of the object 2012 VP113. Wikipedia's article 2012 VP113 says: Nickname: 2012 VP113 was abbreviated "VP" ...
uhoh's user avatar
  • 30.7k
12 votes
1 answer
427 views

Why was this asteroid (4864 Nimoy) chosen to be named after Leonard Nimoy?

The asteroid 4864 Nimoy was recently named after Leonard Nimoy. It was discovered on September 2, 1988 so it went nearly 27 years without a name. Why was this asteroid chosen to be named after him? ...
duzzy's user avatar
  • 554