David D. Balam

Minor planets discovered: 56 [1]
see § List of discovered minor planets

David D. Balam is a Canadian astronomer and a research associate with University of Victoria's Department of Physics and Astronomy, in Victoria, British Columbia. Specializing in the search for Near-Earth objects, Balam is one of the world's most prolific contributors to this research;[2] only two astronomers have made more such discoveries than Balam.[3] He is credited with the discovery or co-discovery of more than 600 asteroids, over a thousand extra-galactic supernovae,[3] and novae in the galaxy M31. Balam is also co-credited for the 1997 discovery of Comet Zhu-Balam.[4][5]

Among celestial bodies discovered by Balam are the asteroid 150145 Uvic, which he named for the University of Victoria,[3] and 197856 Tafelmusik, named for the Baroque orchestra in Toronto.[6] Currently, Balam conducts an optical transient survey (OTS) using the 1.82-m Plaskett Telescope of the National Research Council of Canada.

The asteroid 3749 Balam is named in his honour, recognizing the fact that he developed most of the software for the university's astrometric program on minor planets and comets.[7]

List of discovered minor planets

4789 Sprattia20 October 1987list
6532 Scarfe4 January 1995list
7886 Redman12 August 1993list
11955 Russrobb8 February 1994list
20106 Morton20 August 1995list
29348 Criswick28 March 1995list
39791 Jameshesser13 August 1997list
48774 Anngower10 August 1997list
54411 Bobestelle3 June 2000list [A]
60622 Pritchet30 March 2000list
81915 Hartwick15 July 2000list
100416 Syang2 February 1996list
100596 Perrett9 August 1997list
150145 Uvic23 January 1996list
154660 Kavelaars29 March 2004list
157194 Saddlemyer21 August 2004list
168358 Casca24 February 1996list
197856 Tafelmusik21 August 2004list
202740 Vicsympho11 June 2007list
(217670) 1998 UQ622 October 1998list
241090 Nemet23 October 2006list
246238 Crampton5 September 2007list
255703 Stetson25 August 2006list
(256550) 2007 LV1411 June 2007list
(262002) 2006 QE5723 August 2006list
273987 Greggwade11 June 2007list
288478 Fahlman16 March 2004list
289314 Chisholm30 September 2003list
292051 Bohlender14 September 2006list
293878 Tapping9 September 2007list
304233 Majaess14 September 2006list
308825 Siksika14 September 2006list
314988 Sireland13 December 2006list
315012 Hutchings20 January 2007list
315186 Schade11 June 2007list
325973 Cardinal13 December 2006list
332324 Bobmcdonald12 December 2006list
345842 Alexparker12 June 2007list
350185 Linnell3 June 2006list
(352102) 2007 AG1213 January 2007list
(353349) 2010 VT1039 September 2007list
(356450) 2010 XF8511 June 2007list
358376 Gwyn13 December 2006list
(359945) 2012 AR812 June 2007list
362793 Suetolson23 August 2006list
378204 Bettyhesser26 December 2006list
380480 Glennhawley16 December 2003list
381260 Ouellette11 October 2007list
383417 DAO23 October 2006list
402920 Tsawout7 October 2007list
414026 Bochonko11 June 2007list
423097 Richardjarrell16 December 2003list
427695 Johnpazder16 March 2004list
(428347) 2007 LR3011 June 2007list
475802 Zurek13 December 2006list
(516560) 2006 XL6712 December 2006list
Co-discovery made with:
A P. B. Stetson

References

  1. ↑ "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  2. ↑ Dickinson, Terence (May 10, 1998). "B.C. telescope a key anti-asteroid sentry". Toronto Star.
  3. 1 2 3 "t's a bird, it's a plane -- wait, no, it's UVic hurtling through the sky". canada.com/Victoria Times Colonist. June 1, 2007. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  4. ↑ "New comet named after astronomers". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. November 13, 1998. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  5. ↑ McNeney, Mike (February 6, 1998). "Sharp-eyed Balam co-discovers comet". The Ring/University of Victoria. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  6. ↑ "Asteroid has Tafelmusik's name on it". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. April 17, 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
  7. ↑ "Minor Planets and Comets" (PDF). Minor Planet Circular. International Astronomical Union. 13 (105): 74. May 31, 1988. Retrieved February 1, 2010.


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