SPACE PARK? NCU president Hsiau Shu-san said that the name links Kinmen National Park’s historical and natural heritage on Earth with space exploration
- By Rachel Lin and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writer
The International Astronomical Union has approved the name “Kinmen” — referring to Kinmen National Park — for asteroid 755922, which was discovered by National Central University’s (NCU) Lulin Observatory, the university said yesterday.
The asteroid was discovered by Lulin Observatory director Lin Hung-chin (林宏欽) and Ye Quanzhi (葉泉志), an associate research scientist in the University of Maryland College Park’s Department of Astronomy.
Measuring about 1km in diameter, the asteroid orbits the sun between Mars and Jupiter. Its closest approach to the sun is about 269 million kilometers and is about 438 million kilometers away at its farthest, completing an orbit in about three years and seven months, Lin said.
National Central University president Hsiau Shu-san, left, presents an asteroid name plaque to Kinmen National Park Headquarters director Huang Tzu-chuan in an undated photoghraph.Photo courtesy fo the NCU via CNA
The name was chosen because the national park is an important stopover for migratory birds in East Asia and a habitat for the endangered Eurasian otter, he said.
The name also reflects the county’s military history, traditional settlements and natural environment, where history, culture and conservation coexist, he said.
NCU president Hsiau Shu-san (蕭述三) said the name links Kinmen National Park’s historical and natural heritage on Earth with space exploration.
Hopefully, the name would inspire young people in Kinmen County to take a greater interest in science when looking up at the night sky, Hsiao said.
Lulin Observatory has discovered more than 800 asteroids since launching the Lulin Sky Survey in 2006, NCU said.
By naming asteroids after places and cultural landmarks, the observatory has introduced Taiwan’s landscapes, heritage and scientific achievements to the world, it said.
The naming of the Kinmen asteroid extends the county’s presence from the map to the solar system, it said.