Dictionary of Minor Planet Names

Until recently, minor planet name citations were scattered in the astronomical literature, and the origin of many names remained obscure. IAU Commission 20 in 1988 established a study group to elucidate the meanings of asteroid names. Under the chairmanship of the author, some 20 scientists took part in the preparation of the names database. In addition to being of practical value for identification purposes, minor planet names also provide a most interesting historical insight into the work of astronomers.

The quantity of numbered minor planets has now well exceeded a quarter million. The new sixth edition of the Dictionary of Minor Planet Names, which is the IAU’s official reference work for the field, now covers more than 17,000 named minor planets. In addition to being of practical value for identification purposes, the Dictionary of Minor Planet Names provides authoritative information on the basis of the rich and colorful variety of ingenious names, from heavenly goddesses to artists, from scientists to Nobel laureates, from historical or political figures to ordinary women and men, from mountains to buildings, as well as a variety of compound terms and curiosities.

This sixth edition of the Dictionary of Minor Planet Names has grown by more than 7,000 entries compared to the fifth edition and by more than 2,000 compared to the fifth edition, including its two addenda published in 2006 and 2009. In addition, there are many  corrections, revisions and updates to the entries published in earlier editions. This work is an abundant source of information for anyone interested in minor planets and who enjoys reading about the people and things minor planets commemorate.