I haz an astroid!
Date: March 25, 2008 | Author: Rebecca WatsonCategory: General | Comments: 15 » |
Astronomer Jeff Medkeff of BlueCollarScientist called me out of the blue to tell me that he had discovered four asteroids, and after months of work had managed to officially name one of them after me!
The asteroid, estimated to be 4.3 kilometers (2.7 miles) in diameter, is part of the main asteroid belt between Jupiter and Mars. It is in the outer portion of the asteroid belt, orbiting somewhat closer to Jupiter, and is in an orbit that will remain stable for billions of years, having no chance of impacting with a planet. The asteroid is bright enough to photograph with backyard telescopes, but is far too faint to be easily seen by eye even through a large telescope.
Check out my asteroid’s orbit here! Jeff christened the other three asteroids Philplait, Paulmyers, and Michaelstackpole. I’m so very, very proud to be in such good company. Plus Phil.
Ha ha, just kidding, Phil! But seriously, my asteroid is the biggest and best and probably prettiest though I haven’t seen a picture yet.
If you have an idea for how I can best exploit my new asteroid (aside from staring a new religion and selling real estate) please let me know in the comments! Oh, or just leave funny “asteroid” puns in the comments, whatevers.
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PS: Boston Skeptics in the Pub was a huge success last night, and I’ll be posting more about that on Skepchick in the next day or so!
15 Responses to “I haz an astroid!”
By jonny_eh on Mar 25, 2008 | Reply
Congrats! It’s good to have friends (looking) in high places.
Sorry, that was the best pun I could come up with.
By MarshallDog on Mar 25, 2008 | Reply
Asteroid… lame! That’s totally not as cool as that star I got registered in my name through the library of Congress!
By ellazimm on Mar 25, 2008 | Reply
Way cool! You go cosmic girl! Very far out!. Now if you can just get Bruce Willis to land on you, uh, er, I meant your asteroid.
Possible pun:
Does my asteroid look big in this?
By swedeheadchris on Mar 25, 2008 | Reply
You rock!
That was lame, so very lame!
By swedeheadchris on Mar 25, 2008 | Reply
PS: You are the top Google search for “asteroid puns”, Goddamn it!
By Dave on Mar 25, 2008 | Reply
I heard you have a pretty firm asteroid.
By Jon Blumenfeld on Mar 25, 2008 | Reply
Okay, you are now officially the coolest person I (sorta) know.
By Rebecca Watson on Mar 25, 2008 | Reply
Thanks, all!
ellazimm: that might work for a good t-shirt…
By billysixstring on Mar 25, 2008 | Reply
That’s great except for the “having no chance of impacting with a planet” part. Wouldn’t it be great to someday hear “Rebecca Watson will soon destroy southern California!”
By MisterMarc on Mar 25, 2008 | Reply
You have an asteroid? I think they make a cream to help with that.
By QuantumLobster on Mar 26, 2008 | Reply
I thought ’steroids were banned….
(Best I could come up with)
By MisterMarc on Mar 26, 2008 | Reply
I heard a rumor that your asteroid is lumpy and cratered. I also heard Uranus is big and gassy, but I digress.
By Heinke on Mar 27, 2008 | Reply
The link to your orbit is Paul’s orbit. Finally you succumb to Kepler’s Laws! Ha ha
By Augustus on Mar 27, 2008 | Reply
If you start a religion I am totally in. Best part, you won’t steal all the good wives.