Armagh Observatory staff Rok Nežič and Shane Kelly honored with asteroids
An asteroid discovered in New Mexico in 1999 has been officially named (20560) Nežič after Dr Rok Nežič, who now works at the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, bbc.co.uk reported.
- Dr Rok Nežič, a tours and outreach officer at the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium, had an asteroid discovered in 1999 named (20560) Nežič after him.
- Colleague Shane Kelly, the principal meteorological observer at the observatory, also received a namesake asteroid, (7050) Shanekelly, measuring 15.6km across.
Early Roots in Slovenia and Arrival at Armagh
Growing up in Slovenia in 1999, Dr Nežič developed an early interest in astronomy despite his home region being best known for its apples, according to bbc.co.uk. He moved to Northern Ireland in 2015 to complete a doctorate in space and climate physics at the Armagh Observatory and Planetarium (AOP). Having finished his postgraduate studies, he remained at the institution, where he currently serves as a tours and outreach officer.
Reflecting on the designation, Dr Nežič told bbc.co.uk that he thought it was “so cool” to learn that asteroids can be named after individuals. “I wish I could get there some day,” he said, describing the recognition as a dream come true. “I’m not sure how to believe it myself.”
IAU Naming Process Governs Asteroid Designations
The International Astronomical Union governs the naming process for small bodies in the solar system, permitting discoverers to name asteroids once their orbits are sufficiently known. According to tech.yahoo.com, Dr Nežič’s asteroid was detected by a large Earth-based mission searching for asteroids to refine orbital trajectories and assess collision risks.
| Named Individual | Asteroid Designation | Diameter | Institution Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr Rok Nežič | (20560) Nežič | 10.9 km | Tours and Outreach Officer |
| Shane Kelly | (7050) Shanekelly | 15.6 km | Principal Meteorological Observer |
The body currently orbits the Sun safely within the main asteroid belt. Commenting on the size distribution of modern space discoveries, he noted that most of the really large ones were identified first, leaving contemporary programs to chart smaller objects.
Parallel Recognition for Meteorological Records
Alongside Dr Nežič, principal meteorological observer Shane Kelly was also honoured with a celestial namesake, (7050) Shanekelly, which spans 15.6km in diameter. tech.yahoo.com reported that Mr Kelly has taken daily weather readings at the Armagh Observatory for 27 years. His daily routine involves opening the Stevenson screen containing sensitive thermometers and recording data by hand into the institution’s handwritten ledgers, continuing a continuous climate dataset that dates back to 1795.
Armagh Observatory director Prof Michael Burton noted that Mr Kelly has likely observed the weather more than anyone else in the world. Prof Burton described the simultaneous naming of two staff members as “fantastic,” emphasizing that the relatively small institution punches above its weight through dedicated research output.
Dr Nežič was nominated for the asteroid honor by his former PhD supervisor and a former astronomer from the observatory, though he remains unaware of who chose him for the honour. Meanwhile, Mr Kelly was put forward by the observatory’s emeritus director in recognition of his contribution to the observatory and to the measuring of the weather.