News

Minor planet named for Durham Professor

(22 February 2005)

A minor planet which measures less than three miles in diameter has been named after an eminent Durham astronomer in recognition of his research work.

The minor planet or asteroid, which until now has been known only by its number (10979) 4171 T-2, has been named for Professor F. Richard Stephenson, a researcher in the Department of Physics at Durham University.

The asteroid, which lies between Mars and Jupiter, is to be known internationally as Fristephenson. It was first discovered in 1973 and in accordance with astronomical guidelines the name was suggested by the object’s identifier.

The naming of the minor planet is in recognition of Professor Stephenson’s researches in ancient and medieval astronomical observations to improve knowledge of the Earth’s rotation, and the study of supernovae and comets.

Fristephenson, which is about 4 kilometres (2 ½ miles) in diameter, takes three years and ten months to orbit the Sun. It lies between Mars and Jupiter and it is at an average distance from the Sun of 370 million kilometres (230 million miles). This compares with the Earth’s distance from the Sun of 150 million kilometres (93 million miles).

Professor Stephenson said : “Unlike some minor planets, Fristephenson does not cross the Earth’s orbit, so it presents no danger to us here on Earth!”

For further information contact : Professor F. Richard Stephenson, Department of Physics, Rochester Building, Science Laboratories, South Road, Durham. DH1 3LE. Tel 0191 334 3713 e-mail: f.r.stephenson@durham.ac.uk

Media enquiries to : Tom Fennelly, University of Durham, Public Relations Office, Tel 0101 334 6078 e-mail t.p.fennelly@durham.ac.uk

Notes to editors:

Durham University has one of the leading physics departments in the UK. In 2004, for the fourth year running, Durham was top in The Times survey of UK Physics & Astronomy departments. In the latest round of the HEFCE Quality Assurance Agency national assessment of university teaching standards the Department received the maximum possible rating of 24. Durham ranks second in the global space science institutions' web site : www.in-cites.com/research/2004/may_10_2004-2."
Provisional Designation : Minor planets are each given a provisional designation when they are discovered and confirmed. These designations are based on the date of discovery and are assigned by the Minor Planet Center (MPC) according to a well defined formula. A general discussion of the system of designations of minor planets is available at the MPC web site: cfa-www.harvard.edu/cfa/ps/mpc.html
Permanent Designation : When the orbit of a minor planet becomes very well determined so that the position can be reliably predicted far into the future (in most cases this means after the minor planet has completed two or even more observed orbital periods), the minor planet receives a permanent number (issued sequentially by the Minor Planet Center) and becomes eligible for naming.
Names: When an asteroid receives a permanent designation, the discoverer of the asteroid is invited to suggest a name for that asteroid. There are extensive guidelines for the choice of names but ultimately the name must be approved by the CSBN. Further details of the procedures for naming minor planets are available at the MPC web site.