Updated
Updated · Hackaday · Sep 27
IAU Renames Asteroid 1981 EC26 as (14331) Alyankovic
Updated
Updated · Hackaday · Sep 27

IAU Renames Asteroid 1981 EC26 as (14331) Alyankovic

1 articles · Updated · Hackaday · Sep 27

Summary

  • (14331) Alyankovic is now the official name of the asteroid formerly known as 1981 EC26, after the International Astronomical Union approved the change.
  • Weird Al Yankovic inspired the renaming after several planetary scientists who are fans pushed for the tribute, according to the Tucson Star.
  • The naming adds another music-linked object to space nomenclature; a separate asteroid already honors satirist and songwriter Tom Lehrer.

Insights

Did astronomers just make the first direct measurement of an exoplanet’s magnetic field by isolating radio auroras from Beta Pictoris b?
How did MeerKAT separate Beta Pictoris b’s radio bursts from its star—and why doesn’t the signal suggest alien life?
Why are projects as different as Nura, p5.js, and Linux on Dreamcast all betting on longevity and new life for old platforms?