Gianluca Masi

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Minor planets discovered: 26 [1]
see § List of discovered minor planets

Gianluca Masi (born 22 January 1972) is an Italian astrophysicist and astronomer, as well as a discoverer of minor planets and variable stars.[2][3]

Scientific career[]

He started his interest in astronomy at childhood,[2] later becoming a professional astronomer, earning a PhD in astronomy at the Sapienza University of Rome in 2006.[3] At the same time, he devoted a lot of efforts to science communication, on the international stage.[3]

Vincent van Gogh painting[]

His professional interests include asteroids and comets, variable stars and extrasolar planets, with many contributions in all those fields. He was able to determine the date that Vincent van Gogh painted Starry Night Over the Rhone by studying the star placement.[4]

Virtual Telescope project[]

In 2006 he started the Virtual Telescope project (part of Bellatrix Astronomical Observatory), consisting of several robotic telescopes, remotely available in real-time over the Internet. Through this system, real time online observations are performed; sharing the universe with the world. More than 1,000,000 individuals each year observe the sky through the Virtual Telescope.[3]

Awards and honors[]

He received a number of prizes, including the Ruggieri Prize (2003), the Gene Shoemaker NEO Grant (2005) and the Tacchini Prize (2006) as well as other acknowledgements for his scientific activities.[3] The Nysian asteroid 21795 Masi, discovered by his college Franco Mallia in 1999, was named in his honor.[2]

List of discovered minor planets[]

See also: Category:Discoveries by Gianluca Masi
10931 Ceccano 16 February 1998 list
20433 Prestinenza 14 February 1999 list
20513 Lazio 10 September 1999 list [A]
21661 Olgagermani 1 September 1999 list
21685 Francomallia 11 September 1999 list
21799 Ciociaria 1 October 1999 list [A]
(25337) 1999 PK 6 August 1999 list
40409 Taichikato 6 September 1999 list
49501 Basso 13 February 1999 list
(65487) 2003 CD20 9 February 2003 list [B]
66458 Romaplanetario 22 August 1999 list
73453 Ninomanfredi 13 July 2002 list [A]
74625 Tieproject 10 September 1999 list [A]
79641 Daniloceirani 19 September 1998 list [A]
(95784) 2003 FS6 28 March 2003 list
98722 Elenaumberto 22 December 2000 list
101902 Gisellaluccone 3 September 1999 list
145820 Valeromeo 15 October 1998 list
216591 Coetzee 21 July 2002 list
(220296) 2003 CX20 13 February 2003 list [B]
243637 Frosinone 8 October 1999 list
(253311) 2003 CC20 11 February 2003 list [B]
269762 Nocentini 4 October 1999 list
(317631) 2003 CB20 11 February 2003 list [B]
(317633) 2003 CY20 13 February 2003 list [B]
(435127) 2007 EE88 14 March 2007 list
Co-discovery made with:
A F. Mallia
B R. Michelsen

See also[]

  • Supernova ASASSN-15lh
  • List of minor planet discoverers § G. Masi

References[]

  1. ^ "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  2. ^ a b c Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(21795) Masi". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (21795) Masi. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 867. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_9687. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Gianluca Masi's Bio". www.virtualtelescope.eu. 28 September 2007. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  4. ^ "Scientist uses stars to date Van Gogh art". UPI. 28 September 2007. Retrieved 29 May 2018.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""