This book relates the history of asteroid discoveries and christenings from those of the early
pioneering giants of Hersehel and Piazzi to modern-day amateurs. Moving from history and
anecdotal information to science the book's structure is provided by the names of the
asteroids including one named after the author. Free from a need to conform to scientific
naming conventions the names evidence hero-worship sycophancy avarice vanity whimsy
erudition and wit revealing the human side of astronomers especially where controversy has
followed the christening. Murdin draws from extensive historical records to explore the debate
over these names. Each age reveals its own biases and preferences in the naming process. <
Originally regarded as vermin of the skies asteroids are minor planets rocky scraps left over
from the formation of the larger planets or broken fragments of worlds that have collided.
Their scientific classification as minor planets makes them seem unimportant but over the past
decades asteroids have been acknowledged to be key players in the Solar System. This view of
their starring role even alters the trajectories of spacecraft: NASA's policy for new space
missions en route to the outer planets is that they must divert to study passing asteroids
whenever possible. This book provides for readers a complete tour of the fascinating world of
asteroids.
