Two asteroids in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter have been named after Dr Beatriz Sánchez-Cano and Dr Daniel Sheward, of the University of Leicester’s School of Physics and Astronomy and Space Park Leicester, in recognition of their scientific contributions.
Asteroid 20685 Sánchez-Cano recognises Dr Sánchez-Cano’s research on planetary ionospheres, solar wind interactions and heliophysics and work on comet-planet interactions and space weather at small bodies throughout the Solar System.
Asteroid 20713 Sheward celebrates Dr Sheward’s studies into hypervelocity impacts on the lunar surface in order to characterise the Earth-Moon meteoroid environment and impact rates at the Moon.
Professor Leigh Fletcher, Director of Research for the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Leicester, said: “We’re thrilled that Beatriz and Daniel have received this incredible honour.
“Naming an asteroid after a scientist is seen as one of the most prestigious forms of recognition in the field of astronomy because the name becomes permanently associated with the Solar System.
“That means that Asteroid 20685 Sánchez-Cano and Asteroid 20713 Sheward will be lasting tributes to Beatriz and Daniel who have dedicated their careers to understanding the space environments of planets and other bodies throughout the Solar System.”
The asteroid named after Dr Sánchez-Cano has an estimated diameter of approximately 4.7km and orbits the Sun at an average distance of 2.8 astronomical units, completing one revolution in just over four years. Asteroid 20713 Sheward has an estimated diameter of 20.7km, and orbits the Sun at an average distance of 3.1 astronomical units, completing an orbit in just over five and a half years.
Incredibly, Dr Sánchez-Cano and Dr Daniel Sheward are not the only members of the University of Leicester’s School of Physics and Astronomy to receive the prestigious honour.
Professor Fletcher added: “Dr Chrysa Avdellidou and Prof Suzie Imber have also previously had asteroids named after them. This recognition is exceptionally rare so the fact that four members of the School of Physics and Astronomy have been honoured in this away shows the international impact of Leicester’s planetary science research.”
To learn more about Space Park Leicester, visit https://www.space-park.co.uk or to find out more about the University of Leicester, visit https://le.ac.uk/.
