Produced by: Tarun Mishra
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has officially designated an asteroid after India's distinguished scientist, Professor Jayantmurthy, in recognition of his significant contributions to the field of astronomy.
Formerly catalogued as 2005 EX296, the asteroid has been named (215884) Jayantmurthy by the IAU's Working Group on Small Bodies Nomenclature, underscoring Prof. Murthy's impact on the scientific community.
Prof. Murthy, known for his expertise in the interstellar medium, ultraviolet astronomy, and space missions, retired from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) in 2021 after serving as its acting Director from July 2018 to October 2019.
His research, particularly with Nasa's New Horizons Science Team, has significantly enhanced our understanding of the universe, with a focus on studying ultraviolet background radiation and its implications.
The asteroid (215884) Jayantmurthy was discovered by MW Buie at the Kitt Peak National Observatory in Arizona, USA, in 2005. It follows an orbit between Mars and Jupiter, completing its journey every 3.3 years.
The naming of the asteroid acknowledges Prof. Murthy's pivotal role in the New Horizons mission, which achieved global acclaim for its historic flyby of Pluto in 2015, providing unprecedented insights into the dwarf planet and its moons.
Prof. Murthy expressed his delight and gratitude upon hearing the news, emphasizing the significance of his work on understanding the cosmic ultraviolet background and its implications for unraveling the mysteries of the universe.
Prof. Annapurni Subramaniam, the current Director of IIA, commended the recognition as a rare honor that highlights the global impact of Prof. Murthy's research. She noted that Prof. Murthy joins a prestigious group of IIA faculty who have also been honored with asteroids named after them.