David D. Balam

David D. Balam is a Canadian astronomer and a research associate with University of Victoria's Department of Physics and Astronomy, in Victoria, British Columbia. Specializing in the search for Near-Earth objects, Balam is one of the world's most prolific contributors to this research;^[1] only two astronomers have made more such discoveries than Balam.^[2] He is credited with the discovery or co-discovery of more than 600 asteroids, over a thousand extra-galactic supernovae,^[2] and novae in the galaxy M31.^{[citation needed]} Balam is also co-credited for the 1997 discovery of Comet Zhu-Balam.^[3][4]

Among celestial bodies discovered by Balam are the asteroid 150145 Uvic, which he named for the University of Victoria,^[2] and 197856 Tafelmusik, named for the Baroque orchestra in Toronto.^[5] The asteroid 3749 Balam is named in his honour, recognizing the fact that he developed most of the software for the university's astrometric program on minor planets and comets.^[6] Currently, Balam conducts an optical transient survey (OTS) using the 1.82-m Plaskett Telescope of the National Research Council of Canada.

References

1. ^ Dickinson, Terence (May 10, 1998). "B.C. telescope a key anti-asteroid sentry". Toronto Star. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} "t's a bird, it's a plane -- wait, no, it's UVic hurtling through the sky". canada.com/Victoria Times Colonist. June 1, 2007. http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/story.html?id=cfc22dca-2189-4f46-a624-5ad5e5784898&k=17971. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
3. ^ "New comet named after astronomers". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. November 13, 1998. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/1998/01/24/comet980124a.html. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
4. ^ McNeney, Mike (February 6, 1998). "Sharp-eyed Balam co-discovers comet". The Ring/University of Victoria. http://ring.uvic.ca/98feb06/Balam.html. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
5. ^ "Asteroid has Tafelmusik's name on it". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. April 17, 2009. http://www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2009/04/17/tafelmusik-asteroid.html. Retrieved 1 February 2010. 
6. ^ "Minor Planets and Comets". Minor Planet Circular (International Astronomical Union) 13 (105): page 74. May 31, 1988. http://www.minorplanetcenter.org/iau/ECS/MPCArchive/1988/MPC_19880531.pdf. Retrieved February 1, 2010. 

External links

• Official home page at University of Victoria

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