David D. Balam

Minor planets discovered: 55 [1]
see § List of discovered minor planets

David D. Balam /ˈbləm/ 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]
  1. ^ "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  2. ^ Dickinson, Terence (May 10, 1998). "B.C. telescope a key anti-asteroid sentry". Toronto Star.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ "New comet named after astronomers". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. November 13, 1998. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  5. ^ McNeney, Mike (February 6, 1998). "Sharp-eyed Balam co-discovers comet". The Ring/University of Victoria. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  6. ^ "Asteroid has Tafelmusik's name on it". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. April 17, 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  7. ^ "Minor Planets and Comets" (PDF). Minor Planet Circular. 13 (105). International Astronomical Union: 74. May 31, 1988. Retrieved February 1, 2010.