Robert Luther

Asteroids discovered: 24[1]
17 ThetisApril 17, 1852
26 ProserpinaMay 5, 1853
28 BellonaMarch 1, 1854
35 LeukotheaApril 19, 1855
37 FidesOctober 5, 1855
47 AglajaSeptember 15, 1857
50 Virginia[1]October 19, 1857
53 KalypsoApril 4, 1858
57 MnemosyneSeptember 22, 1859
58 ConcordiaMarch 24, 1860
68 LetoApril 29, 1861
71 NiobeAugust 13, 1861
78 DianaMarch 15, 1863
82 AlkmeneNovember 27, 1864
84 KlioAugust 25, 1865
90 AntiopeOctober 1, 1866
95 ArethusaNovember 23, 1867
108 HecubaApril 2, 1869
113 AmaltheaMarch 12, 1871
118 PeithoMarch 15, 1872
134 SophrosyneSeptember 27, 1873
241 GermaniaSeptember 12, 1884
247 EukrateMarch 14, 1885
258 TycheMay 4, 1886
288 GlaukeFebruary 20, 1890
1 discovered independently 15 days after James Ferguson,
but reported first

Karl Theodor Robert Luther (April 16, 1822 – February 15, 1900), normally published as Robert Luther, was a German astronomer. While working at the Bilk Observatory in Düsseldorf, Germany, he searched for asteroids and discovered 24 of them between 1852 and 1890.[1][2]

Two of his discoveries are now known to have unusual properties: 90 Antiope, a binary asteroid with equal components, and the extremely slow-rotating 288 Glauke. The asteroid 1303 Luthera and the lunar crater Luther were named in his honour.[2][3] He was awarded the Lalande Prize in 1852, 1855, 1860, and 1861.

References

  1. 1 2 "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 28 December 2015. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  2. 1 2 Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (1303) Luthera. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 107. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3. Retrieved 23 March 2016.
  3. ↑ "Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature – Planetary Names: Crater, craters: Luther on Moon". International Astronomical Union (IAU) Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature (WGPSN). Retrieved 23 March 2016.


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