(ORDO NEWS) — The working group on the nomenclature of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) named the asteroid in honor of Pope Gregory XIII.
Gregory XIII is famous for having first introduced the Gregorian calendar in the 16th century.
560974 Ugoboncompagni – Gregory XIII’s birth name was Hugo Boncompagni – was announced along with 72 other named asteroids on February 27.
The founding of the Vatican Observatory is associated with the pontificate of Gregory and the reform of the calendar of 1582.
The observatory is located in the pope’s summer residence at Castel Gandolfo in the hills south of Rome. Today it is home to a dozen priests and brothers who study the universe.
The process of naming an asteroid a relatively small cosmic body in orbit around the sun — involves a preliminary designation based on its discovery date, followed by a permanent number, according to the observatory.
“At this point, its discoverer is being asked to suggest a name for it,” the observatory said, adding that household names and commercial names are prohibited.
The IAU Working Group on Nomenclature, consisting of 15 astronomers, then evaluates the proposed names.
—
Online:
Contact us: [email protected]
Our Standards, Terms of Use: Standard Terms And Conditions.