Meanings of minor planet names: 120001–121000
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]
120001–120100[edit]
| Named minor planet | Provisional | This minor planet was named for... | Ref · Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120038 Franlainsher | 2003 BR1 | Frances Fisher (born 1944) and Elaine Fisher (born 1946), former wife and sister-in-law of the discoverer James Whitney Young, respectively. | JPL · 120038 |
| 120040 Pagliarini | 2003 BF5 | Silvano Pagliarini (born 1950), Italian amateur astronomer, builder of the public amateur observatory "Padre Angelo Secchi" in Castelnovo Sotto. | JPL · 120040 |
| 120074 Bass | 2003 EA | Harry Bass (born 1935) graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School in 1960. In 1977, he joined the Staff of Memorial Medical Center, Las Cruces, New Mexico, established a private practice, and is a highly respected physician by both his peers and his patients. | JPL · 120074 |
120101–120200[edit]
| Named minor planet | Provisional | This minor planet was named for... | Ref · Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120103 Dolero | 2003 FW6 | Dominique Lherault (born 1945), maiden name of the wife of French amateur astronomer Bernard Christophe who discovered this minor planet | JPL · 120103 |
| 120112 Elizabethacton | 2003 FS51 | Elizabeth A. Acton (born 1981) contributed to the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission as Project Support Specialist. | JPL · 120112 |
| 120120 Kankelborg | 2003 FM84 | Charles Kankelborg (born 1967), American astrophysicist | JPL · 120120 |
| 120121 Libbyadelman | 2003 FO85 | Libby Adelman (born 1971) contributed to the NASA OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission as Instrument Manager for the OLA, OVIRS and REXIS instruments. | JPL · 120121 |
| 120131 MAVEN | 2003 FX119 | Description available (see ref). Please summarize in your own words. | IAU · 120131 |
| 120141 Lucaslara | 2003 GO21 | Lucas Lara Garrido (1966–2006), Spanish astrophysicist who researched active galactic nuclei at the Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía | JPL · 120141 |
| 120153 Hoekenga | 2003 HR2 | B. Christine Hoekenga (born 1981) worked on the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission as the social media lead in the Principal Investigator's office | JPL · 120153 |
| 120174 Jeffjenny | 2003 KM3 | Jeffrey Young (born 1966) and Jennifer Young (born 1967), son and daughter of the American astronomer James Whitney Young who discovered this minor planet | JPL · 120174 |
| 120186 Suealeman | 2004 BQ111 | Sue Aleman (born 1957) contributed to the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission as Chief Safety and Mission Assurance Officer. | JPL · 120186 |
| 120188 Amyaqueche | 2004 CL12 | Amy A. Aqueche (born 1975) contributed to the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission as the Contracting Officer (CO). Prior to OSIRIS-REx, she served as the NASA CO for MAVEN and the USACE CO in support of Ft. Stewart and Hunter Army Air Field Operations in Savannah, Georgia. | JPL · 120188 |
| 120191 Tombagg | 2004 CG100 | Thomas C. Bagg III (born 1952) is the Risk Manager for the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission. Prior to this role, he supported the GSFC SBIR program, the HST SM4, NOAA-N and NOAA-N Prime missions. He helped develop the GSFC Systems Engineering Education Development Program | JPL · 120191 |
| 120196 Kevinballou | 2004 DR21 | Kevin M. Ballou (born 1969), an engineer at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, contributed to the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission as C&DH Electrical Systems Engineer. | JPL · 120196 |
120201–120300[edit]
| Named minor planet | Provisional | This minor planet was named for... | Ref · Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120208 Brentbarbee | 2004 EK32 | Brent Barbee (born 1981), a member of the Flight Dynamics System team for the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission. | JPL · 120208 |
| 120214 Danteberdeguez | 2004 EG78 | Dante Berdeguez (born 1976) is a Spacecraft Systems Engineer at NASA's Goddard Spaceflight Center. He specializes in both spacecraft and ground system integration and testing. He contributed to the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission as Ground Systems Readiness Test Engineer. | JPL · 120214 |
| 120215 Kevinberry | 2004 EM79 | Kevin E. Berry (born 1980) contributed to the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission as the FDS TAG Mission Phase Lead and is a member of the Navigation and Mission Design Branch at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. He was also part of the flight dynamics teams for SDO, LCROSS and MAVEN. | JPL · 120215 |
| 120218 Richardberry | 2004 FN2 | Richard P. Berry Jr. (born 1955) contributed to the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission as Configuration Control Manager. | JPL · 120218 |
| 120285 Brentbos | 2004 HE47 | Brent J. Bos (born 1969), the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission TAGCAMS instrument scientist. | JPL · 120285 |
| 120299 Billlynch | 2004 JL28 | Bill Lynch (born 1962) has worked tirelessly for many years assisting amateur and professional astronomers with their CCD cameras and related equipment | JPL · 120299 |
120301–120400[edit]
| Named minor planet | Provisional | This minor planet was named for... | Ref · Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120308 Deebradel | 2004 KN12 | Deanna Bradel (born 1964), a Financial Manager for the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission. | JPL · 120308 |
| 120324 Falusandrás | 2004 MV3 | András Falus (born 1947) is a Hungarian immunologist, full professor of the Semmelweis University, and member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. His major field is immunogenomics, allergies and oncogenomics. He was the winner of the 2001 annual science communication award of the Club of Hungarian Science Journalists. | JPL · 120324 |
| 120347 Salacia | 2004 SB60 | Salacia, Roman goddess of salt water, Neptune's wife. | JPL · 120347 |
| 120349 Kalas | 2004 XC42 | John Kalas (born 1948) and Elizabeth Kalas (born 1949) are active in proselytizing the night sky at public events | JPL · 120349 |
| 120350 Richburns | 2005 JC1 | Rich Burns (born 1967) contributed to the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission as SSMO Project Manager | JPL · 120350 |
| 120351 Beckymasterson | 2005 JA168 | Rebecca A. Masterson (born 1975) is a research engineer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology serving tirelessly in the central role of Instrument Manager for the student-built Regolith X-ray Imaging Spectrometer aboard the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission. | JPL · 120351 |
| 120352 Gordonwong | 2005 JG177 | Gordon H. Wong (born 1969) is a software engineer who has shown great patience and dedicated support to the effort required in the design, build, test, and flight of the student-built Regolith X-ray Imaging Spectrometer aboard the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission. | JPL · 120352 |
| 120353 Katrinajackson | 2005 LM6 | Katrina Jackson (born 1989) is a video producer for the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission and the Hubble Space Telescope at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center | JPL · 120353 |
| 120354 Mikejones | 2005 LD40 | Michael Paul Jones (born 1991) worked as a student engineer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he designed and implemented the solar X-ray monitor as a comparison instrument for the student-built Regolith X-ray Imaging Spectrometer aboard the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission. | JPL · 120354 |
| 120361 Guido | 2005 NZ | Ernesto Guido (born 1977), Italian amateur astronomer and discoverer of minor planets | JPL · 120361 |
| 120364 Stevecooley | 2005 ND20 | Steve Cooley (born 1961) contributed to the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample-return mission as Lead Flight Dynamics Engineer (proposal/Phase A). | JPL · 120364 |
| 120367 Grabow | 2005 NL67 | Walter Grabow (1913–1987) was the owner of the Polaris Telescope Shop in Dearborn, Michigan in the 1960s. His patience and guidance helped many amateur astronomers in building or buying their telescopes. | JPL · 120367 |
| 120368 Phillipcoulter | 2005 NO67 | Phillip Coulter (born 1973), an Optical Engineer working at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. | JPL · 120368 |
| 120375 Kugel | 2005 PB6 | François Kugel (born 1959), French comet observer and a discoverer of minor planets | JPL · 120375 |
120401–120500[edit]
| Named minor planet | Provisional | This minor planet was named for... | Ref · Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120405 Svyatylivka | 2005 SQ4 | Svyatylivka, Ukraine, one of the headquarters of the Cossack army since the 17th century | JPL · 120405 |
| 120452 Schombert | 1988 NA | James Schombert (born 1957) is an observational cosmologist, who started working during the second Palomar Observatory Sky Survey. He is now an astronomy professor at the University of Oregon working on galaxy formation and evolution and the interaction with dark matter using telescopes such as HST and Spitzer. | JPL · 120452 |
| 120460 Hambach | 1990 TD7 | The Hambach Festival of 1832, held in the Maxburg castle above the village of Hambach, Germany, where some 30 000 liberals and democrats demonstrated in favour of a free and united Germany | JPL · 120460 |
| 120461 Gandhi | 1990 TK9 | Mahatma Gandhi (1869–1948) was an Indian lawyer who advocated the complete independence of India. Gandhi believed that nonviolence was the path to liberty, and he became a model for many. | JPL · 120461 |
| 120462 Amanohashidate | 1990 UE2 | Amanohashidate, a well-known tourist spot in Japan | JPL · 120462 |
| 120481 Johannwalter | 1992 SP17 | Johann Walter (1496–1570), German cantor, director of the Saxon court orchestra, who wrote the melody of the hymn Each morning with its newborn light | JPL · 120481 |
120501–120600[edit]
| Named minor planet | Provisional | This minor planet was named for... | Ref · Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120569 Huangrunqian | 1995 FU20 | Huang Runqian (born 1933), Chinese astrophysicist and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences | JPL · 120569 |
120601–120700[edit]
| Named minor planet | Provisional | This minor planet was named for... | Ref · Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120643 Rudimandl | 1996 RU | Rudi W. Mandl (1894–1948), Czech-German electrical engineer and amateur astronomer, was interested in gravitational lensing. | JPL · 120643 |
120701–120800[edit]
| Named minor planet | Provisional | This minor planet was named for... | Ref · Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120730 Zhouyouyuan | 1997 SN33 | Zhou Youyuan (born 1938) is a leading astrophysicist and a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He has made significant contributions to the study of quasars, active galactic nuclei, cosmology, large scale structures of the universe, and high-energy astrophysics. | JPL · 120730 |
| 120735 Ogawakiyoshi | 1997 TD11 | Kiyoshi Ogawa (born 1957) is a member of Matsue Astronomy Club. He popularizes astronomy in Shimane prefecture and is an observing partner of the discoverer, Hiroshi Abe. | JPL · 120735 |
| 120741 Iijimayuichi | 1997 UJ22 | Yuichi Iijima (1968–2012) was a Japanese aerospace system engineer of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, who was one of the key members of the Japanese lunar orbiter SELENE. | JPL · 120741 |
120801–120900[edit]
| Named minor planet | Provisional | This minor planet was named for... | Ref · Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|
| There are no named minor planets in this number range | |||
120901–121000[edit]
| Named minor planet | Provisional | This minor planet was named for... | Ref · Catalog |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120942 Rendafuzhong | 1998 TB18 | "Rendafuzhong" is a Chinese high school affiliated with Renmin University, located in Beijing Zhongguancun Technology Park | JPL · 120942 |
References[edit]
- ^ "WGSBN Bulletin Archive". Working Group Small Body Nomenclature. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
- ^ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ "JPL – Solar System Dynamics: Discovery Circumstances". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
- ^ Schmadel, Lutz D. (2003). Dictionary of Minor Planet Names. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ Schmadel, Lutz D. (2006). Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – Addendum to Fifth Edition: 2003–2005. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. ISBN 978-3-540-34360-8. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- ^ Herget, Paul (1968). The Names of the Minor Planets. Cincinnati, Ohio: Minor Planet Center, Cincinnati Observatory. OCLC 224288991.
- ^ "Guide to Minor Body Astrometry – When can I name my discovery?". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
- ^ "Minor Planet Naming Guidelines (Rules and Guidelines for naming non-cometary small Solar-System bodies) – v1.0" (PDF). Working Group Small Body Nomenclature (PDF). 20 December 2021.