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Four Asteroids Named at Bloemfontein Symposium Brian Fraser

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Four Asteroids Named at Bloemfontein Symposium Brian Fraser assa news Four asteroids named at Bloemfontein Symposium Brian Fraser During the planning stage of the 7* ASSA Athens Observatory, John Stefanos symposium that was held in Bloemfon­ Paiaskevopoulos (1889-1951) joined tein in September 2006, it was proposed the Boyden Observatory staff and was that four of the minor planets that had responsible for selecting the site at Ma- been discovered at Boyden observa­ zelspoort, near Bloemfontein. When tory be named for persons who had been death ended his supermtendency this closely involved with the observatory in was one of the finest observatories in some way or other. the southern hemisphere. Nominations were made to the Minor (11781) Alexroberts = 1966 PL Planet Centre in Cambridge, Massachu­ Discovered 1966 Aug. 7 at Bloemfon­ setts and after some correspondence with tein. Brian Marsden, now Director emeritus, it Scots-bom Alexander William Roberts was agreed to put forward the following (1857-1938) emigrated in 1883 to nominations which were accepted and South Africa, where he taught at and announced in the Minor Planet Circulars became principal of Lovedale Training of 9 August 2006. School in Eastern Cape Province. He was one of the most prolific observers (4301) Boyden =1966 PM of variable stars in the southern hemi­ Discovered 1966 Aug. 7 at Bloemfon­ sphere, and his records are maintained tein. at the Boyden Observatory. Massachusetts mechanical engineer Uriah Atherton Boyden (1804-1879) (14310) Shuttleworth = 1966 PP designed an improved turbine wa- Discovered 1966 Aug. 7 at Bloemfon­ terwheel for use'in textile mills. His tein. bequest to build a new observatory at South African businessman Mark a mountain site allowed the Harvard Shuttleworth (b. 1973) was fee first College Observatory to establish the citizen of a country in Africa to venture Boyden Observatory at Arequipa in into space. A civilian cosmonaut on a Peru. It moved to Bloemfontein1 in Soyu2r rirission in 2002, he spent eight 1927. ■ '-i - days'*afeitfard the International Space >• Statfonv' Where M r participated in ex- (5298) Faraskevopoulos = 1966 PK ‘ pwiments involving AIDS and genome Discovered 1966 Aug. 7 at Bloemfon­ ivtemfa: '■ ■ tein. After serving briefly as director of the All ftwr of tfce&e minor planets were 171 december 2006 assa news discovered on the same night at Boyden. nor planets, most notably at the former The name of the discoverer is not re­ Republic Observatory in Johannesbuig corded and it may take some investigat­ for nigh on half a century, I’m sorry to ing by members of the Bloemfontein say that there has been very little ac­ centre to try and identify the astronomers tivity of this type now for many years. who were working at the observatoiy in Perhaps this is because the discovery of August 1966. At the time, there was no minor planets was considered a dying permanent director of the observatoiy, field, as the use of long photographic the position being filled by the senior exposures on glass plates was itself member of one of the consortium of coming to an end In recent times, stakeholders who happened to be sta­ however, thanlcs to the availability of tioned there. efficient and relatively inexpensive CCD systems, there has been an enor­ Members of the organizing committee mous resurgence of interest in the field attempted to get Mark Shuttleworth and in many countries around the world Brian Marsden to attend the naming cer­ Since the southern hemisphere is still emony during the gala dinner at the sym­ very much underrepresented in this ac­ posium but this was not possible. Brian tivity, I hope that the four new namings sent the following message, which was will perhaps encourage some South read out on his behalf at the dinner. African amateur astronomers again to participate in this work” Message from Brian Marsden. “I send my greetings to .the participants Just before the dinner Gerrit Penning re­ of the Astronomies!i Society of South­ ceived a phone call from none other than ern Africa’s 2006 symposium in Blo­ the first South African to venture into emfontein. I am sony not to be able space; Mark Shuttleworth. He e-mailed a to attend the symposium myself, but as special message to the Symposium which the now-emeritus director of the Inter­ was read out during the asteroid naming national Astronomical Union’s Minor ceremony, Planet Center I am happy to have par­ ticipated in the recent naming of four Message from Mark Shuttleworth. minor planets that were discovered at “It’s a great honour to have an astro­ the Boyden Observatory just 40 years nomical object named after me, but I ago. The quartet, all of which were think the real honour tonight should found on the night of 1966 August be given to the people and organisa­ 7, join the three earlier minor planets tions that pursue science and dweov- discovered at the Boyden Observatory. ery in South Africa. Their tracbltfiw Although South Africa has long played - of excellence at the cutting edgeiof a strong role in the observation of mi­ understanding, of persistence wfrifce assa news face of seemingly insurmountable Array offer us new tools and engineer­ obstacles, of results that transcend the ing challenges and remind the world limits that others might think are im­ that South Africa can be a great part­ posed by geography and equipment, ner and ally in scientific endeavors. have always been an inspiration to me. We have to live up to our predeces­ South African science and engineering sors and continue to do great work! is one of the country’s long-standing assets and one we would do well to Tonight I hope you are all being treated support and hold to a high standard. to one of those amazing displays of the African night sky. For myself, I’m The discoverers of 1966 PP (14310) stuck in London which has largely are representatives of that tradition of given up on stars. I take some comfort excellence in science. I hope perhaps in being able to tell my girlfriend that to meet them and thank them for car­ she’s incorrect in saying I come from rying the torch in those days, and I another planet - it’s now officially hope to play a small role in support­ from a small barren rock .a long long ing and inspiring the next generation way from the sun! Thank you, and I of scientists in South Africa. I know wish you all a great evening.” that many of you here tonight also are responsible for great work that There are now over 134 000 numbered will push back the frontiers of knowl­ minor planets in our solar system, with edge, and I would like to pay tribute Pluto having been assigned the number to you for your dedication in that. 134340. For what they have done for Boyden and astronomy in South Africa These are exciting times - SALT and it is very fitting that these four people be the potential of the Square Kilometer honoured in this way. ☆ v- news notes International Year of Astronomy in 2009 The International Astronomical Union saw many more stars than were hitherto has announced that it will be coordinat­ known. ing the International Year of Astronomy in 2009. This will be the 400th anniver­ The IYA will serve as a platform for sary of the observations by Galileo in informing the public about the latest 1609, when he turned his telescope on astronomical discoveries and will em­ the moon, discovering lunar mountains, phasize the role of astronomy in science on Jupiter, discovering its moons, and education. Most IYA activities will span on parts of the Milky Way where he local, regional and national levels. The 173 tif-com ber 2006 m m news notes IAU will act as the event coordinator the 2009 IAU. A possible aim would and catalyst on a global scale. It plans be to get as many people as possible to liaise ,with as many as possible of the to look through telescopes and see outreach and education efforts around what Galileo saw - the four brightest the world, including those organized by of Jupiter’s moons...perhaps in coinci­ amateur astronomers. dence with a “Wave of Darkness”, in which lights are switched off to raise Two of the activities envisioned: awareness of the night sky. A work­ * Bring astronomy to the citizens of ing group of the IAU has already been planet Earth - enable as many people formed, chaired by the President of the as possible to look through telescopes IAU, Catherine Cesarsky. It will have by organizing thousands of ‘"side­ a web site, www.astronomy2009.org walk astronomy events”, involving which will serve as a focal point for amateurs, professionals, planetaria activities. In the meantime, each and public observatories. A special country is encouraged to form a programme, “Universe Awareness” IYA2009 National Organizing Com­ (UNAWE) will be initiated, aimed at mittee. underprivileged children in a number of countries worldwide. A colour brochure is obtainable from .* n 13/i t ■ •. v ' • www.iau.org/INTERN ATION AL_ • 24 hours of^astronomya round-the- YEAR_OF_ASTRONOM.403 0.html " clock em it possibly gainsidmg with ☆ ClO-r'i llifii .tix i. JCSil L ' V. Physics NObel Prize for Cosmology Result Academy has Bang”, at a temperature of 2.7 degrees awarded this year's physics Nobel prize above absolute zero. Extremely small to two scientists who have provided variations in this temperature reflect the an in&ght into the early histgry of the formation of aggregates such as galaxies Universe. They are John^C. Mather in the early universe. Their result pro­ of the Goddard Space Flight Centre, vided strong support for the “Big Bang” Maryland, and George F.
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