[Astronomy] Lulin Observatory Names the Newly Observed Asteroid “Yushan”

[Astronomy] Lulin Observatory Names the Newly Observed Asteroid “Yushan” (Chinese Version)

Radio Taiwan International et al. (2009/07/14) Most of the press in Taiwan reported the news at the first place when National Central University announced the newly observed Asteroid No. 185546 (observed in Lulin Observatory on 28th-Dec. 2007) was officially entitled “Yushan” on 14th-Jul., right after the entitlement had been approved by International Astronomical Union, IAU. “Yushan” became the first asteroid named with mountain names in Taiwan. At the meanwhile, Yushan was being voted as one of New Seven Wonders of the World. National Central University and Yushan National Park Headquarters together urge the public into the promotion of the mountain of Taiwan as an internationally recognized icon.

Asteroid Yushan orbits between Mars and Jupiter in the direction of Libra, about 0.3 billion kilometers away from Earth. The research team estimates Asteroid Yushan to be likely the same size as Yushan, but this estimation needs further verification and supporting data. Its magnitude is around 20; it is difficult to observe with bare eyes even when observing on top of Yushan.

Lulin Observatory on Yushan makes Taiwan the most active place of discovering new celestial bodies in Asia. Since the start of the program Lulin Sky Survey, LUSS, in March 2006, there have been about 800 asteroids found in the program. Among the 800, nine have been officially coded and entitled, including “Lulin,” “Sayling WEN,” “Tsou,” “Chun Shan SHEN” and “Yushan.” National Central University and Lulin Observatory also participate in many international astronomical programs, including Pan-STARRS with Hawaii University, which surveys and monitors the possible asteroids or comets wandering in the space that may hit Earth.

BCC News (2009/07/14) comments that the event indicates Yushan's unique significance and symbolism in Taiwan as well as its being an excellent site of astronomical observation in Taiwan.


Related History Messages:
[Astronomy] Comet Lulin Is Approaching Earth 2009/01/06
[Astronomy] Tsou Begins to Shine in the Air from the Midst of This Month 2009/01/03


Further Information:
Lulin Observatory
udn.com 2009/07/14
udn.com 2009/07/14
BCC News 2009/07/14
China Times E-paper 2009/07/14
Awakening News Network 2009/07/14
Radio Taiwan International 2009/07/14

Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 07/19/2009 05:50PM by mepoadm.

(編輯記錄)