David D. Balam
| see § List of discovered minor planets |
David D. Balam /ˈbeɪləm/ is a Canadian astronomer and a research associate with University of Victoria's Department of Physics and Astronomy, in Victoria, British Columbia. Specializing in the search for Near-Earth objects, Balam is one of the world's most prolific contributors to this research;[2] only two astronomers have made more such discoveries than Balam.[3] He is credited with the discovery or co-discovery of more than 600 asteroids, over a thousand extra-galactic supernovae,[3] and novae in the galaxy M31.[citation needed] Balam is also co-credited for the 1997 discovery of Comet Zhu-Balam.[4][5]
Among celestial bodies discovered by Balam are the asteroid 150145 Uvic, which he named for the University of Victoria,[3] and 197856 Tafelmusik, named for the Baroque orchestra in Toronto.[6] Currently, Balam conducts an optical transient survey (OTS) using the 1.82-m Plaskett Telescope of the National Research Council of Canada.
The asteroid 3749 Balam is named in his honour, recognizing the fact that he developed most of the software for the university's astrometric program on minor planets and comets.[7]
List of discovered minor planets
[edit]| important; height: 540px; | ||
|---|---|---|
| 4789 Sprattia | 20 October 1987 | list |
| 6532 Scarfe | 4 January 1995 | list |
| 7886 Redman | 12 August 1993 | list |
| 11955 Russrobb | 8 February 1994 | list |
| 20106 Morton | 20 August 1995 | list |
| 29348 Criswick | 28 March 1995 | list |
| 39791 Jameshesser | 13 August 1997 | list |
| 48774 Anngower | 10 August 1997 | list |
| 54411 Bobestelle | 3 June 2000 | list [A] |
| 60622 Pritchet | 30 March 2000 | list |
| 81915 Hartwick | 15 July 2000 | list |
| 100416 Syang | 2 February 1996 | list |
| 100596 Perrett | 9 August 1997 | list |
| 150145 Uvic | 23 January 1996 | list |
| 154660 Kavelaars | 29 March 2004 | list |
| 157194 Saddlemyer | 21 August 2004 | list |
| 168358 Casca | 24 February 1996 | list |
| 197856 Tafelmusik | 21 August 2004 | list |
| 202740 Vicsympho | 11 June 2007 | list |
| (217670) 1998 UQ6 | 22 October 1998 | list |
| important; height: 540px; | ||
|---|---|---|
| 241090 Nemet | 23 October 2006 | list |
| 246238 Crampton | 5 September 2007 | list |
| 255703 Stetson | 25 August 2006 | list |
| (256550) 2007 LV14 | 11 June 2007 | list |
| (262002) 2006 QE57 | 23 August 2006 | list |
| 273987 Greggwade | 11 June 2007 | list |
| 288478 Fahlman | 16 March 2004 | list |
| 289314 Chisholm | 30 September 2003 | list |
| 292051 Bohlender | 14 September 2006 | list |
| 293878 Tapping | 9 September 2007 | list |
| 304233 Majaess | 14 September 2006 | list |
| 308825 Siksika | 14 September 2006 | list |
| 314988 Sireland | 13 December 2006 | list |
| 315012 Hutchings | 20 January 2007 | list |
| 315186 Schade | 11 June 2007 | list |
| 325973 Cardinal | 13 December 2006 | list |
| 332324 Bobmcdonald | 12 December 2006 | list |
| 345842 Alexparker | 12 June 2007 | list |
| 350185 Linnell | 3 June 2006 | list |
| (352102) 2007 AG12 | 13 January 2007 | list |
| important; height: 432px; | ||
|---|---|---|
| (353349) 2010 VT103 | 9 September 2007 | list |
| (356450) 2010 XF85 | 11 June 2007 | list |
| 358376 Gwyn | 13 December 2006 | list |
| (359945) 2012 AR8 | 12 June 2007 | list |
| 362793 Suetolson | 23 August 2006 | list |
| 378204 Bettyhesser | 26 December 2006 | list |
| 380480 Glennhawley | 16 December 2003 | list |
| 381260 Ouellette | 11 October 2007 | list |
| 383417 DAO | 23 October 2006 | list |
| 402920 Tsawout | 7 October 2007 | list |
| 414026 Bochonko | 11 June 2007 | list |
| 423097 Richardjarrell | 16 December 2003 | list |
| 427695 Johnpazder | 16 March 2004 | list |
| (428347) 2007 LR30 | 11 June 2007 | list |
| 475802 Zurek | 13 December 2006 | list |
| 516560 Annapolisroyal | 12 December 2006 | list |
| Co-discovery made with: A P. B. Stetson | ||
References
[edit]- ^ "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
- ^ Dickinson, Terence (May 10, 1998). "B.C. telescope a key anti-asteroid sentry". Toronto Star.
- ^ a b c "t's a bird, it's a plane -- wait, no, it's UVic hurtling through the sky". canada.com/Victoria Times Colonist. June 1, 2007. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
- ^ "New comet named after astronomers". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. November 13, 1998. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
- ^ McNeney, Mike (February 6, 1998). "Sharp-eyed Balam co-discovers comet". The Ring/University of Victoria. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
- ^ "Asteroid has Tafelmusik's name on it". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. April 17, 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
- ^ "Minor Planets and Comets" (PDF). Minor Planet Circular. 13 (105). International Astronomical Union: 74. May 31, 1988. Retrieved February 1, 2010.
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