MAS Asteroids
Something to crow about! MAS Founder members Ed Halbach and Bill Albrecht have had asteroids named after them by the International Astronomical Union. (357546) Edwardhalbach = 2004 RA339 and (268115) Williamalbrecht = 2004 TK9.
The citations for these asteroids are as follows:
(268115) Williamalbrecht = 2004 TK9
Discovered 2004 Oct. 7 by W. R. Cooney Jr. and J. Gross at Sonoita. William B. Albrecht (1917-2009) was an active amateur astronomer who made contributions to the study of variable stars, lunar occultations, solar astronomy and aurorae. Bill designed and fabricated instrumentation for amateur and professional observatories.
(357546) Edwardhalbach = 2004 RA339
Discovered 2004 Sept. 15 by W. R. Cooney Jr. and J. Gross at Sonoita. Edward A. Halbach (1909-2011) was a prominent amateur astronomer who made contributions to the study of variable stars, lunar occultations, solar astronomy and aurorae. He mentored and encouraged generations of astronomers, both amateur and professional.
We thank Gerry Samolyk for his efforts in making this happen. Both Ed and Bill were mentors to Gerry and he followed in their footsteps as he became the Observatory Director for over 30 years. He wrote a couple of excellent articles about them when they passed away. You can read them here:
More information was posted in an article by the AAVSO.