On this day in space history

On March 22, 2001, an outer main belt asteroid provisionally named 2001FB10 was discovered by David Healy, founder of the Junk Bond Observatory. Its official name is 153289 Rebeccawatson.

That’s right, it was named after the woman probably most famous for making a whole lot of very insecure men very angry about having their sense of entitlement questioned. Rebecca Watson has an asteroid named after her, and you do not. U JELLY?

Additionally, it’s grossly unlikely to end humanity, despite certain howler monkeys’ protestations.

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On this day in space history
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12 thoughts on “On this day in space history

  1. 8

    csrster, my google-fu has failed me utterly. I’ve tried Wikipedia, stumbled across several asteroid websites, checked out various “numbered asteroid” links, and haven’t found Asteroid 23482636

    Assistance required, SVP.

  2. 10

    2012 DA14 will fly-by Earth at 22,500 kilometers (inside the geosynchronous communication satellite orbit) on 15 February 2013.

    Fortunately, this is after the Mayan Apocolypse, so it won’t make any difference.

  3. 12

    Jason, I suspect that the orbital parameters are good. We won’t get hit. But the sensationalists will figure out some way to make headlines. Thanks for stopping by.

    @jnorris – I would not worry too much. But it will be visible with a good pair of binoculars.

    In the meantime, we need to fund some more folks in the astronomy world. Think of it as an insurance policy for civilization.

    What I find interesting are the folks who think the end of the world is a good thing.

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