Martin Gerard Connors (born 1954) is a Canadian astronomer, space physicist, author and professor.[1]
Career
editConnors received a PhD in Physics from the University of Alberta in 1998. He is a Professor at Athabasca University. He tutors and develops courses in Mathematics, Physics, and Astronomy.[2] He was part of the team credited with the discovery of the first Earth trojan asteroid, an asteroid that orbits the Sun on a similar orbital path as that of Earth. The 300-meter-diameter asteroid was designated 2010 TK7. The asteroid was discovered in October 2010 by the NEOWISE team of astronomers using NASA's Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer (WISE).[3] Connors himself is credited with the near-Earth and Apollo asteroid (464639) 2000 PO30, which he co-discovered together with astronomer Christian Veillet at the Mauna Kea Observatories in August 2000.[4] He was co-discoverer of the orbital properties of the "retrograde Trojan" 514107 Kaʻepaokaʻawela.[5]
Connors' first book "Invisible Solar System" was published by Taylor and Francis/CRC Press in 2024.
Awards and honors
editThe asteroid 13700 Connors, discovered by the Spacewatch survey in 1998, was named in his honor.[1] He held a Canada Research Chair at Athabasca University and has received that organization's teaching and research awards.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "13700 Connors (1998 MM36)". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- ^ "Brief Bio Martin Connors". Athabasca University. 2006. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- ^ "NASA's WISE Mission Finds First Trojan Asteroid Sharing Earth's Orbit". NASA. 29 July 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- ^ "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 464639 (2000 PO30)" (2017-06-25 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
- ^ "514107 Kaʻepaokaʻawela". Retrieved 27 April 2024.
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