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Title: Asteroid (215016) Catherinegriffin = 2008 US3 Post by: davegrennan on August 08, 2009, 01:18:35 pm I'm absolutely delighted to be able to announce that my first asteroid discovery has now been officially named and numbered. You may remember that I was lucky enough to have discovered this asteroid back in October 2008. Since then with the help of other Minor Planet Observers all around the world, its orbit was tied down well enough in May for the Minor Planet Centre to give it an official number. This allowed me to submit a naming citation to the IAU. The 'Committee for Small Body Naming' were obviously in agreement and yesterday the citation was published as follows;
Quote The following citation is from MPC 66729: (215016) Catherinegriffin = 2008 US3 Catherine Grennan (née Griffin, 1939-2004) was the mother of the discoverer. She encouraged his interest in amateur astronomy, and this led to the discovery of this minor planet. As mentioned in the citation, this asteroid is named in memory of my mum. She passed away in 2004. It was she who gave me my first pair of binoculars to study the night sky. When I was a kid I'd be out back just looking up at the stars instead of complaining and making my come back inside, she would bring me a hat and coat and say 'Just 15 more minutes then come inside'. Title: Re: Asteroid (215016) Catherinegriffin = 2008 US3 Post by: Paul on August 08, 2009, 01:43:11 pm Dave, congrtaulations, that's excellent news! The sadness being that your mother isn't here to see your search for asteroids come to fruition, but now she is immortalised in the sky!
Well done, and thanks for sharing this with us. Paul. Title: Re: Asteroid (215016) Catherinegriffin = 2008 US3 Post by: Roman White on August 08, 2009, 02:40:50 pm Congratulations Dave! :)
You have made the best choice of the name! Title: Re: Asteroid (215016) Catherinegriffin = 2008 US3 Post by: martinastro on August 08, 2009, 02:47:48 pm That is excellent news Dave!, congratulations on getting the asteroid named, it really is a fitting honor for your Mother and I bet she is smiling down on you now. Thank goodness she gave you the binos..look what that has started!!...and long may it continue. Thanks for keeping us informed and good luck with your future NEO hunting. Cheers. :)
Title: Re: Asteroid (215016) Catherinegriffin = 2008 US3 Post by: rjgjr on August 08, 2009, 04:47:38 pm Congratulations Dave. I'm sure the stars are shining very brightly in your Mother's eyes and reflecting back into the Universe.
Title: Re: Asteroid (215016) Catherinegriffin = 2008 US3 Post by: brianb on August 08, 2009, 06:46:20 pm Congratulations, and what an honour for your mother - I'm sure she deserved it!
Title: Re: Asteroid (215016) Catherinegriffin = 2008 US3 Post by: Big Dipper on August 09, 2009, 02:58:25 am Congratulations Dave - plus a very nice gesture in memory of your Dear, late Mother.
Title: Re: Asteroid (215016) Catherinegriffin = 2008 US3 Post by: davegrennan on August 10, 2009, 09:59:24 pm Thanks for all the kind words folks. I was particularly pleased to receive a phone call of congrats from our own John McConnell. It was a really nice gesture and much appreciated.
Title: Re: Asteroid (215016) Catherinegriffin = 2008 US3 Post by: davegrennan on August 17, 2009, 11:59:16 am Hi All,
Just thought I'd post a link to a piece which appeared in this mornings Irish Times. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0817/1224252678741.html Title: Re: Asteroid (215016) Catherinegriffin = 2008 US3 Post by: martinastro on August 17, 2009, 02:02:43 pm Excellent stuff Dave and thanks for the heads up on the link. Might just use this for my site for a news item. It's a great emotional story. Congrats again on your success :)
Title: Re: Asteroid (215016) Catherinegriffin = 2008 US3 Post by: markt on August 17, 2009, 05:53:44 pm Many, many congratulations! :D 8) |