Catherine Grennan (1939 - 2004)

I'm delighted to be able to announce that my first asteroid discovery has now been formally named and numbered by the Minor Planet Centre. The August publication of the MPC circulars gives mention to the the fact that my first asteroid discovery is now formally designated (215016) Catherinegriffin.
The naming citation reads as follows;

(215016) Catherinegriffin = 2008 US3
     Catherine Grennan (née Griffin, 1939-2004)#
 was the mother of the discoverer.  She encouraged
 his interest in amateur astronomy, and this led to
 the discovery of this minor planet.

Naturally I am very pleased to be able to honour such an important person in my life in this way. When my mum passed away in 2004 I felt that I would like to do something a bit special to honour her memory. When I made the discovery of asteroid 2008 US3 back in October 2008, I felt this might be the chance to do just that.

(215016) Catherinegriffin discovery image.  D. Grennan, J41 -Raheny Observatory.

As a young child, I always had a curiosity about the night sky.  What was really up there?  What made it all tick?  Could there be anyone else out there?  All of these questions are normal for a child.  I was very lucky to have parents, Catherine and Aidan, who encouraged this interest and ensured that it was nurtured and developed. My parents gave me a small telescope and then a set of binoculars.  These were very much the catalyst which set off a train of explorations which would eventually result almost 20 years later in the discovery of two asteroids from my observatory in Raheny. The discovery of what was initially designated 2008 US3 (now (215016) Catherinegriffin) was a very exciting time.  For any amateur astronomer the prospect of discovering a whole new world is the ultimate dream.   With the help of some colleagues the search began back in August.  Only one week following the discovery by Dave McDonald of 2008 TM9, I hit the jackpot with the discovery of 2008 US3. Then followed a period of measuring the asteroids orbit, something necessary before the Minor Planet Centre can assign a formal permanent designation to an object.  Following a serch of the archives of the 'Palomar Sky Survey', U.S. astronomer Robert D. Matson found my asteroid on a plate taken back in 1986 but which slipped by unnoticed at the time.  This extra position was enough to remove any uncertainty from the orbit and make it possible for the MPC to assign a number.   In may of 2009, 2008 US3 became (215016) 2008 US3. It is at this stage the discoverer of an asteroid is afforded the opportunity to propose a name for his/her discovery.  There are a lot of rules which determine what is and is not acceptable as a name.  One rule is clear.  The discoverer may not name a discovery after him/herself and no part of the discoverers name may appear in the name of the asteroid.  This ruled out my original choice of Catherinegrennan as the name of the asteroid.  Brian G. Marsden, Director of the MPC suggested that using my mum's maiden name would be more appropriate.  So with this in mind the citation above was submitted for consideration. On August 6th Minor Planet Circular MPC 66729 was issued which confirmed the naming and acceptance of this asteroid.  Well I got my wish to provide a unique memorial to my mum.  Let's face it not too many people get to have a 3-5km memorial orbit between Mars and Jupiter! Some links related to (215016) Catherinegriffin 215016 page at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory Text of Article in 'The irish Times' newspaper - 17th August, 2009. Mention On RTE Radio - 'Morning Ireland' programme Another piece which appeared in the 'Irish Sun' on Wed 19th August, 2009

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