Two Armagh Scientists Get Asteroids Named in Their Honor

Childhood dreams can journey all the way to the farthest reaches of our solar system. For Dr. Rok Nežič and Shane Kelly, a lifetime spent studying the skies has earned them a permanent home among the stars.

Both men work at the historic Armagh Observatory and Planetarium in Northern Ireland. The International Astronomical Union recently named two massive space rocks after them to celebrate their remarkable dedication to astronomy and climate research.

As a young boy growing up in Slovenia, Nežič marveled at the idea that asteroids could carry human names. Now serving as an outreach officer in Armagh, he helps thousands of curious visitors fall in love with the cosmos every year.

His newly christened namesake, asteroid (20560) Nežič, measures nearly eleven kilometers across and orbits peacefully inside the asteroid belt. The rock circles the Sun alongside another cosmic giant named for his longtime colleague.

Kelly serves as the observatory's principal meteorological observer and has recorded daily climate readings for twenty-seven consecutive years. Every morning, he opens the historic weather screens and logs precise temperature data into handwritten ledgers.

His faithful routine has generated more daily weather entries than any other observer in the site's 230-year history. To honor this extraordinary service, astronomers gave his name to asteroid (7050) Shanekelly, an impressive rock spanning over fifteen kilometers.

Armagh Observatory now boasts twenty-nine celestial bodies linked directly to its passionate team. The planetarium plans to showcase both orbits on a brand-new LED dome to inspire the next generation of stargazers.

Why This Inspires

This cosmic tribute proves that quiet dedication leaves an indelible mark on our world and beyond. Real scientific breakthroughs often rely on the patient, steady work of people who show up every single day to observe and share the wonders of nature.

Whenever visitors look up at the planetarium dome, they will see living proof that lifelong curiosity can write your name across the heavens.