American astronomer (1930 - 2020)
Norman Gene Thomas (May 1, 1930 - May 19, 2020) was an American astronomer and discoverer of minor planets.[2]
He worked at Lowell Observatory[3] using the blink comparator alongside Robert Burnham, Jr., author of the famous three-volume Celestial Handbook.
He is credited by the Minor Planet Center with the discovery of 55 numbered minor planets during 1964–1989,[1] including the Apollo asteroids 4544 Xanthus[4] and 4581 Asclepius, as well as the Amor asteroid 3352 McAuliffe.
The main-belt asteroid 2555 Thomas, discovered by Edward Bowell at Anderson Mesa Station in 1980, was named in his honor.[5] Naming citation was published on 8 April 1982 (M.P.C. 6835).[6]
List of discovered minor planets
References
- ^ a b "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
- ^ "Norman Gene Thomas". Daily sun. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
- ^ Science News, Vol. 135, No. 18 (May 6, 1989), p. 28
- ^ Dealing with the Threat of an Asteroid Striking the Earth: An AIAA Position Paper Archived 2011-06-11 at the Wayback Machine at the National Space Society
- ^ Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(2555) Thomas". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (2555) Thomas. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 209. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_2556. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
- ^ "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
External links
- Library of Congress Authorities – Thomas, N. G. (Norman Gene), 1930-, (n89615892)
