Binary Asteroid Named For CU Boulder Scientist

BOULDER, CO — A binary asteroid system is being named for a University of Colorado Boulder researcher, the university announced Monday.

Asteroid 2000 VH57 is now officially named (20882) Paulsánchez, after planetary scientist Paul Sánchez, who has made significant contributions to research on rubble pile asteroids.

Sánchez is a senior research associate at the Colorado Center for Astrodynamics Research, which is part of the Ann and H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences.

The scientist was named for a binary system of two asteroids orbiting each other. The pair is located in the asteroid belt and has a combined diameter of about 2.72 miles.

(Stay up-to-date on Boulder news with Boulder Patch! There are many ways for you to connect and stay in touch: Free Newsletters and Email Alerts | Facebook)

Rubble pile asteroids, which Sánchez has been studying, are comprised of not one large hunk of rock, but many pieces loosely held together.

“These asteroids rotate faster than they should be able to. They're going over the speed limit gravity sets for them,” Sánchez said in a statement. “I've identified a cohesive force that could play a fundamental role. Essentially, the force that allows cooking flour to stick to your fingers also allows asteroids to rotate faster than they should. The assorted pebbles and dust in them form a very weak cement that keeps them together.”

Sánchez was nominated for the naming by a CU Boulder colleague, Distinguished Professor Dan Scheeres.

“Paul has been doing a lot of innovative work on understanding rubble pile asteroids and the environments on them. He's earned this recognition,” Scheeres said in a statement.

Scheeres knows well what it takes to receive the honor; he also has an asteroid named for him, (8887) Scheeres, as does Assistant Professor Jay McMahon, (46829) McMahon.

Sánchez learned of the naming as a surprise at a recent conference, the Fifth Binary Asteroids in the Solar System Symposium, which was held in Fort Collins in September.