On 2026 July 6 the IAU Working Group for Small Bodies Nomenclature (WGSBN) published a list of new, officially named minor planets (asteroids).
Discovery: 1972-10-04 / L. Kohoutek / Bergedorf / 029
"Stella Seitz (1968–2025) was a German astronomer who studied strong- and weak-gravitational lensing at all spatial scales. After her Ph.D. at the Max-Planck-Institut für Astrophysik, she joined the staff at the Universitätssternwarte München, where she became the pillar of the student laboratory and a mentor to many successful young scientists." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 7]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (10260) Stellaseitz = 1972 TC
(10307) Carlschmidt = 1990 QX1
Discovery: 1990-08-22 / H. E. Holt / Palomar Mountain / 675
"Carl A. Schmidt (b. 1981) is an American planetary scientist at Boston University. Through observations, instrumentation, and modeling, he has advanced the study of tenuous atmospheres and exospheres throughout the Solar System and beyond." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 7]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (10307) Carlschmidt = 1990 QX1
(15067) Zhuangtianshan = 1999 AM9
Discovery: 1999-01-10 / Beijing Schmidt CCD Asteroid Program / Xinglong County / 327
"Zhuang Tianshan (1934–2022) was a Chinese historian of astronomy renowned for his research on ancient astronomical records in China, especially meteor observations. He helped compile major collections of ancient Chinese astronomical records and advanced their scientific interpretation." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 7]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (15067) Zhuangtianshan = 1999 AM9
(18197) Brandondotson = 2055 P-L
Discovery: 1960-09-24 / C. J. van Houten, I. van Houten-Groeneveld, T. Gehrels / Palomar Mountain / 675
"Brandon Dotson (b. 1988) is an American planetary scientist who received a Ph.D. in Physics from University of Central Florida in 2025. He is a leader in the theoretical and experimental study of how rocket exhaust plumes interact with asteroid and lunar regoliths, particularly how their mechanical properties affect plume ejecta." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 7]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (18197) Brandondotson = 2055 P-L
(18198) Benjaminbyron = 2056 P-L
Discovery: 1960-09-24 / C. J. van Houten, I. van Houten-Groeneveld, T. Gehrels / Palomar Mountain / 675
"Benjamin Byron (b. 1992) is an American planetary scientist at the Southwest Research Institute. He utilizes remote sensing observations from the ultraviolet to radar wavelengths to study material properties of regoliths on the Moon and asteroids. Benjamin is a Participating Scientist on NASA’s Lucy mission to the Jupiter Trojan asteroids." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 7]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (18198) Benjaminbyron = 2056 P-L
(18199) Shackelford = 2583 P-L
Discovery: 1960-09-24 / C. J. van Houten, I. van Houten-Groeneveld, T. Gehrels / Palomar Mountain / 675
"Autumn Shackelford (b. 1998) is an American postdoctoral researcher at the University of Central Florida. Her research focuses on understanding the space-weathering process on carbon-bearing planetary surfaces like asteroids and Mercury using laboratory spectroscopic and microscopic characterization of analog samples." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 8]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (18199) Shackelford = 2583 P-L
(18200) Flaviarommel = 2714 P-L
Discovery: 1960-09-24 / C. J. van Houten, I. van Houten-Groeneveld, T. Gehrels / Palomar Mountain / 675
"Flavia Luane Rommel (b. 1992) is a Brazilian astronomer and postdoctoral researcher at the Florida Space Institute. Her research focuses on small bodies of the Solar System, like comets and TNOs. She uses stellar occultations, time-series image analysis, and contributes to international efforts such as the Lucky Star project." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 8]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (18200) Flaviarommel = 2714 P-L
Discovery: 1960-09-24 / C. J. van Houten, I. van Houten-Groeneveld, T. Gehrels / Palomar Mountain / 675
"Benjamin Proudfoot (b. 1997) is an American astronomer and postdoctoral researcher at the Florida Space Institute specializing in the dynamics of small bodies like comets and TNOs. He is a lead developer of the MultiMoon software for modeling binary orbits and uses dynamical techniques to study satellites and stellar occultations by asteroids." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 8]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (18201) Proudfoot = 2733 P-L
(18202) Nichols-Fleming = 2757 P-L
Discovery: 1960-09-24 / C. J. van Houten, I. van Houten-Groeneveld, T. Gehrels / Palomar Mountain / 675
"Fiona Nichols-Fleming (b. 1997) is an American planetary geophysicist. She focuses on statistical and analog modeling of geophysical systems, the interaction between surfaces and interior processes, and analysis of spacecraft datasets for small bodies. Fiona is a Participating Scientist on NASA’s Lucy mission to the Jupiter Trojan asteroids." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 8]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (18202) Nichols-Fleming = 2757 P-L
(18203) Schörghofer = 2837 P-L
Discovery: 1960-09-24 / C. J. van Houten, I. van Houten-Groeneveld, T. Gehrels / Palomar Mountain / 675
"Norbert Schörghofer (b. 1971) is an Austrian-born planetary scientist who studies physical processes on the surfaces of small bodies, the Earth, the Moon, and Mars. His research focuses on processes involving water-ice evolution in the surface and subsurface. He is a Participating Scientist on NASA’s Lucy mission to the Jupiter Trojan asteroids." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 8]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (18203) Schörghofer = 2837 P-L
(18204) Emilycostello = 3065 P-L
Discovery: 1960-09-24 / C. J. van Houten, I. van Houten-Groeneveld, T. Gehrels / Palomar Mountain / 675
"Emily Costello (b. 1990) is an American planetary scientist who studies the evolution of planetary surfaces exposed to space. Her research involves impact gardening, secondary cratering, space weathering, and regolith properties and development on a variety of targets. She is a Participating Scientist on NASA’s Lucy mission to the Jupiter Trojan asteroids." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 8]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (18204) Emilycostello = 3065 P-L
Discovery: 1960-09-24 / C. J. van Houten, I. van Houten-Groeneveld, T. Gehrels / Palomar Mountain / 675
"Maria Camarca (b. 1996) is an American observational planetary scientist at the California Institute of Technology. She uses ALMA and JWST to understand the regolith generation and evolution on Solar System bodies like Callisto, including its history of bombardment and infall by (micro)meteorites, and Keck to study the composition of comets." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 9]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (18205) Camarca = 3090 P-L
Discovery: 1988-08-09 / E. F. Helin / Palomar Mountain / 675
"Guy Ottewell (b. 1936) is a British educator who published his Astronomical Calendar every year from 1974 to 2026. These featured Ottewell’s immersive illustrations depicting the celestial sphere and the motions of heavenly bodies for the coming year. His passion, skill, artistry, and dedication to astronomy have been lauded by devoted followers worldwide." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 9]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (21008) Ottewell = 1988 PE
Discovery: 1996-09-18 / Beijing Schmidt CCD Asteroid Program / Xinglong County / 327
"Su Yi (b. 1938) is Professor Emeritus at Nankai University and a longtime advocate of astronomy education in China. A 1958 astronomy graduate of Nanjing University, he taught astronomy courses at Nankai and Tianjin Universities for a quarter century and authored A New Introduction to Astronomy, a widely-used textbook now in its fifth edition." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 9]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (21272) Suyi = 1996 SA1
Discovery: 1997-07-25 / R. Pacheco, À. López / Costitx / 620
"María Galán Sánchez (b. 1997) is a dedicated Spanish humanitarian and co-founder of the NGO Babies Uganda. For years, she has transformed the lives of hundreds of orphaned and vulnerable children in Africa through education and healthcare. This naming honors her exemplary altruism, projecting human kindness into the cosmos." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 9]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (23700) Maríagalán = 1997 OZ
(37159) Margaretmead = 2000 WX
Discovery: 2000-11-17 / W. K. Y. Yeung / Arizona City / 919
"Margaret Mead (1901–1978) was an American cultural anthropologist whose work brought wide public attention to culture, childhood, kinship and human social life. Her legacy is often linked with the idea that care for the vulnerable lies near the roots of civilization." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 9]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (37159) Margaretmead = 2000 WX
(47786) Michaelleinbach = 2000 EQ20
Discovery: 2000-03-03 / CSS / Mount Bigelow / 703
"Michael Leinbach (b. 1953) is an American aerospace engineer who was the last launch director in the Space Shuttle program. He was responsible for overall shuttle launch countdown activities from 2001 to 2011, and led the debris reconstruction and preservation of Columbia after the 2003 accident. Michael was awarded the Presidential Rank Award." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 9]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (47786) Michaelleinbach = 2000 EQ20
(65191) Janespencer = 2002 CR257
Discovery: 2002-02-06 / M. W. Buie / Kitt Peak / 695
"Jane Ellen Burgess Spencer (b. 1951) is an American gardener and retired teacher, who has provided decades of moral and practical support as the beloved spouse of planetary scientist John Spencer and as a friend to many colleagues in the field. She was co-discoverer, with her husband, of a major volcanic eruption on Io in 1995 (IAUC 6149)." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 10]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (65191) Janespencer = 2002 CR257
(102618) Marionacaldentey = 1999 VJ23
Discovery: 1999-11-08 / R. Pacheco, À. López / Costitx / 620
"Maria Francesca Caldentey Oliver (b. 1996), better known as Mariona Caldentey, is a Spanish footballer. Since 2024, she plays as a forward for Arsenal F.C. In 102 appearances for the Spanish national team she has scored 31 goals." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 10]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (102618) Marionacaldentey = 1999 VJ23
(113219) Thomasmazzi = 2002 RU119
Discovery: 2002-09-07 / CINEOS / Campo Imperatore / 599
"Thomas Mazzi (b. 1974) is an Italian amateur astronomer. He has contributed significantly to radio astronomy, to the study of the Renazzo meteorite of 1824, and to scientific outreach to youth." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 10]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (113219) Thomasmazzi = 2002 RU119
(131767) Stefanomancuso = 2002 AZ12
Discovery: 2002-01-11 / CINEOS / Campo Imperatore / 599
"Stefano Mancuso (b. 1965) is an Italian neuroscientist at Florence University and Director of the International Laboratory of Plant Neurobiology. His studies have been focused on the physiology and behavior of plants, suggesting that plants have “social” abilities and a form of intelligence." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 10]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (131767) Stefanomancuso = 2002 AZ12
(132668) Brunobozzetto = 2002 NA6
Discovery: 2002-07-10 / CINEOS / Campo Imperatore / 599
"Bruno Bozzetto (b. 1938) is an Italian cartoonist, film director and illustrator. His precise, witty, and clear drawings have been used to explain dense subjects that were otherwise difficult to visualize on television, including physics, biology, genetics, global economics and the evolution of Homo Sapiens." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 10]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (132668) Brunobozzetto = 2002 NA6
(133807) Johnphelps = 2003 WQ152
Discovery: 2003-11-24 / B. L. Stevens / Las Cruces / 448
"John D. Phelps Jr. (1945–2025) was an American amateur astronomer who helped found IOTA and was its first vice-president and later treasurer. He organized many graze expeditions to map the lunar limb. John visited dark sites to make visual observations of the sky. He was on the staff of the Field Museum in Chicago, IL." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 10]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (133807) Johnphelps = 2003 WQ152
(149233) Bartolofazio = 2002 RP118
Discovery: 2002-09-07 / CINEOS / Campo Imperatore / 599
"Bartolo Fazio (1954–2019) was an Italian engineer. He generously donated his considerable professional expertise to the realization of GAL Hassin – International Centre for Astronomical Sciences of Isnello (Sicily), of which he was a key promoter." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 10]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (149233) Bartolofazio = 2002 RP118
(195772) Shirleygrace = 2002 PG133
Discovery: 2002-08-14 / LINEAR / Socorro / 704
"Shirley Grace Aguilar (b. 1957; née Cresser) is an American writer/editor who has demonstrated an unwavering support for astronomy and science education as a professional journalist on the New Horizons Pluto Mission and as editor of award-winning books on astronomy, with her enthusiasm for community science education." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 11]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (195772) Shirleygrace = 2002 PG133
(300821) Margaritasalas = 2007 WH55
Discovery: 2007-11-30 / Observatorio Astronómico de Mallorca / Puebla de Don Fadrique / J75
"Margarita Salas Falgueras (1938–2019) was a prominent Spanish biochemist and molecular geneticist. She discovered the Φ29 DNA polymerase, a revolutionary tool for DNA amplification used worldwide in biotechnology and forensics. A pioneer for women in science, she was a member of the Royal Spanish Academy and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 11]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (300821) Margaritasalas = 2007 WH55
(312861) Wolfslehner = 2011 UO126
Discovery: 2008-01-08 / R. Gierlinger / Schärding / B21
"Wilhelm Wolfslehner (b. 1961) is an Austrian technology enthusiast and collector dedicated to preserving historical film equipment, jukeboxes and other technical artifacts through a private museum project." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 11]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (312861) Wolfslehner = 2011 UO126
Discovery: 2005-08-05 / P. A. Wiegert, D. D. Balam / Maunakea / 568
"David Lee (b. 1954) is a Canadian astrophotographer and public speaker at the interpretive center of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory. He is a past president of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 11]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (542762) Davidlee = 2013 HU77
(555816) Danielposey = 2014 EV46
Discovery: 2005-08-10 / P. A. Wiegert, D. D. Balam / Maunakea / 568
"Daniel Posey (b. 1989) is a Canadian historian and member of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. His work focuses on the history of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory and its contributions to both Canadian astronomy and British Columbia throughout the twentieth century." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 11]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (555816) Danielposey = 2014 EV46
(559717) Bródyjános = 2015 DO175
Discovery: 2011-08-31 / S. Kürti, K. Sárneczky * / Piszkés-tető / 461
"János Bródy (b. 1946) is a Hungarian singer songwriter and lyricist whose poetic, metaphor rich texts and subtle hidden messages made him a defining voice of Hungary’s beat era. His socially aware, quietly courageous songs and his work with Illés and Fonográf left a lasting influence on modern Hungarian music." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 11]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (559717) Bródyjános = 2015 DO175
(564052) Melissagraham = 2016 FY1
Discovery: 2006-11-22 / D. D. Balam, K. M. Perrett / Maunakea / 568
"Melissa Graham (b. 1981) is a Canadian astronomer and research staff scientist in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Washington in Seattle. She works with the Rubin Observatory and its Legacy Survey of Space and Time and specializes in the study of supernovae." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 11]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (564052) Melissagraham = 2016 FY1
Discovery: 2013-10-31 / S. Kürti, K. Sárneczky * / Piszkés-tető / 461
"Stanislav Štepka (b. 1944) is a Slovak playwright, actor, and founder of the Radošina Naive Theatre. His works blend gentle humor, poetic simplicity, and deep humanism, portraying the everyday lives of ordinary people in a uniquely authentic voice that has shaped Slovak cultural identity for decades." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 12]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (566986) Štepka = 2018 VX87
(597319) Roxanesouad = 2007 BZ99
Discovery: 2005-09-02 / B. Christophe / Saint-Sulpice / 947
"Roxane Souad Christophe (b. 2010) is a granddaughter of the discoverer." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 12]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (597319) Roxanesouad = 2007 BZ99
(609755) Thelmazina = 2005 QS11
Discovery: 2005-08-27 / B. Christophe / Saint-Sulpice / 947
"Thelma Zina Christophe (b. 2013) is a granddaughter of the discoverer." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 12]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (609755) Thelmazina = 2005 QS11
(652223) Huangtushui = 2013 WD13
Discovery: 2006-08-28 / LUSS / Mount Lulin / D35
"Huang Tu-shui (1895–1930) was a Taiwanese sculptor. He pioneered modern Taiwanese art by becoming a four-time Imperial Art Exhibition finalist. His works blend realistic techniques with local themes; masterpieces like Water of Immortality and The Water Buffalo earned him acclaim as an artistic visionary who carved the soul of the land." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 12]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (652223) Huangtushui = 2013 WD13
Discovery: 2001-10-21 / NEAT / Palomar Mountain / 644
"Önder Cırık (1979–2023) was a Turkish intellectual, ecologist, and nature documentarian who conducted research on the natural history of Anatolia. He worked on nature conservation, wildlife research, sustainable development, and biocultural tourism in Turkey. Önder organized special seaside trips for rural children who had never seen the sea in their lives." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 12]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (720549) Cırık = 2001 US224
(811935) Robertslobins = 2002 SW73
Discovery: 2002-09-27 / NEAT / Palomar Mountain / 644
"Robert Slobins (b. 1953) is an American freelance photographer. He has imaged 19 total solar eclipses, often including the flash spectrum, as well as other major astronomical events, such as aurorae and comets. His work has appeared in many publications and is held in several collections worldwide." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 12]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (811935) Robertslobins = 2002 SW73
(817120) Andreirăzvan = 2012 DZ42
Discovery: 2012-02-26 / EURONEAR / Roque de los Muchachos / 950
"Andrei Răzvan (b. 1967) is a Romanian civil engineer and amateur astronomer. Interested in meteorites, he obtained a Ph.D. in meteoritics with contributions to astrochemistry and paleontology. Andrei co-authored two papers about dinosaurs unearthed in Hațeg county, and he has developed a private collection and database of almost 2000 meteorites." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 12]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (817120) Andreirăzvan = 2012 DZ42
(846464) Vaižgantas = 2019 RS14
Discovery: 2015-10-05 / K. Černis, I. Eglītis / Baldone / 069
"Juozas Tumas Vaižgantas (1869–1933) was a Lithuanian Roman Catholic priest. He was a writer whose most notable works are the novel Pragiedruliai (Cloud Clearing) and the narrative Dėdės ir dėdienės (Uncles and Aunts)." [Ref: WGSBN Bull. 6, #10, 13]
The Minor Planet Center -- Orbits/Observations Database: (846464) Vaižgantas = 2019 RS14
The raw data for this web page is from the IAU Working Group for Small Bodies Nomenclature (WGSBN); coding and formatting of this page was done with the aid of ChatGPT under the guidance and supervision of the webmaster.