Asteroids Named After Filipinos
The Paris-based International Astronomical Union (IAU) has named an eight-kilometer-wide asteroid orbiting the Sun between Mars and Jupiter “7431 Jettaguilar,” in honor of Dr. Jose Francisco “Jett” Aguilar, a neurosurgeon and an amateur astronomer.
Asteroid 7431 Jettaguilar was discovered on March 19, 1993, by the European Southern Observatory in Chile and was initially introduced as 1993 FN41, according to IAU’s Working Group for Small Bodies Nomenclature (WGSBN) — the sole organization responsible for assigning names to asteroids, comets, satellites of minor planets, and other small solar system bodies.
The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration has recognized more than 1.1 million asteroids, which are remnants from the early formation of the solar system about 4.6 million years ago.
Dr. Jose Francisco “Jett” Aguilar – Asteroid 7431 Jettaguilar is an addition to the growing number of asteroids named after Filipino astronomers and scientists.
Imelda Joson and Edwin Aguirre – The first Filipinos to have asteroids named in their honors were astronomers Imelda Joson and Edwin Aguirre. In 1995, IAU named asteroid 1980 TS4 “6283 Eswelda,” a combination of their first names, in recognition of their accomplishments in Astronomy.
Fr. Victor Badillo – In 2005, the IAU named asteroid 1988 VB3 “4866 Badillo” after Jesuit astronomer Fr. Victor Badillo, the former director of the Manila Observatory and co-founder of the Philippine Astronomical Society.
Dr. Roman Kintanar – In 2007, asteroid 1988 RK8 was named “6636 Kintanar,” in honor of Dr. Roman Kintanar’s service as director of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration.
Christopher Go – The IAU also named 2000 EL157 “30100 Christophergo” after astrophotographer Christopher Go, in recognition of his expertise in high-resolution imaging of the planet Jupiter and its satellites.
