International Astronomical Union Named Asteroid Alyankovic
The naming honors the artist's use of humor to champion learning, following a process led by astronomers.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Space
The International Astronomical Union officially designated an asteroid as (14331) Alyankovic in September 2026. The asteroid was originally discovered on March 2, 1981, by Stephen J. Bus at the Siding Spring Observatory.
Why it matters
The naming reflects a tradition of honoring cultural figures within the scientific community, specifically acknowledging the role of humor in promoting learning. It marks a formal inclusion of the artist within the standard astronomical record managed by the Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature.
The asteroid, designated (14331), occupies a path in the Main Asteroid Belt with a semi-major axis of 2.42 AU and an orbital period of 3.77 Earth years. It maintains an average orbital speed of 42,500 miles per hour.
The players
International Astronomical Union
An international organization of professional astronomers that serves as the globally recognized authority for naming celestial bodies.
Stephen J. Bus
An astronomer known for his work in asteroid research and planetary science who originally identified the object.
Dr. Allison McGraw
A researcher who co-led the formal nomination process to secure the asteroid's naming.
Dr. Steve Desch
A planetary scientist who collaborated on the nomination to recognize the artist's impact on public learning.
The details
The asteroid is a rock body located in the Main Asteroid Belt—the region between Mars and Jupiter that contains the majority of the solar system's asteroids. It measures approximately 1 to 1.25 miles in diameter. The nomenclature process, overseen by the International Astronomical Union's Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature, involved a formal nomination led by Dr. Allison McGraw and Dr. Steve Desch to recognize the artist's contributions to culture and education.
Timeline
March 2, 1981: Stephen J. Bus discovered the asteroid at Siding Spring Observatory.
September 2026: The International Astronomical Union approved the name Alyankovic.
The Tech Race
The designation follows the established protocols of the International Astronomical Union's Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature, which maintains the registry for minor planets. This act aligns with the scientific community's ongoing practice of cataloging and labeling thousands of distinct objects within the solar system.
The designation of (14331) Alyankovic is now reflected in international astronomical databases used by researchers and tracking services. Hobbyist astronomers can now use the specific designation number to locate the object in standard orbital tracking software.
The takeaway
The naming of asteroid (14331) Alyankovic serves as a permanent, formal recognition within the astronomical record. Readers interested in tracking the object can monitor data provided by the International Astronomical Union’s Minor Planet Center.
Further reading
For more on celestial monitoring and planetary classification, see our coverage of Space.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Consequence of Sound.
