David D. Balam

Minor planets discovered: 55 ^[1]
see § List of discovered minor planets

David D. Balam /ˈbeɪləm/ 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;^[2] only two astronomers have made more such discoveries than Balam.^[3] He is credited with the discovery or co-discovery of more than 600 asteroids, over a thousand extra-galactic supernovae,^[3] and novae in the galaxy M31.^{[citation needed]} Balam is also co-credited for the 1997 discovery of Comet Zhu-Balam.^[4]^[5]

Among celestial bodies discovered by Balam are the asteroid 150145 Uvic, which he named for the University of Victoria,^[3] and 197856 Tafelmusik, named for the Baroque orchestra in Toronto.^[6] Currently, Balam conducts an optical transient survey (OTS) using the 1.82-m Plaskett Telescope of the National Research Council of Canada.

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.^[7]

List of discovered minor planets

important; height: 540px;
4789 Sprattia	20 October 1987	list
6532 Scarfe	4 January 1995	list
7886 Redman	12 August 1993	list
11955 Russrobb	8 February 1994	list
20106 Morton	20 August 1995	list
29348 Criswick	28 March 1995	list
39791 Jameshesser	13 August 1997	list
48774 Anngower	10 August 1997	list
54411 Bobestelle	3 June 2000	list ^[A]
60622 Pritchet	30 March 2000	list
81915 Hartwick	15 July 2000	list
100416 Syang	2 February 1996	list
100596 Perrett	9 August 1997	list
150145 Uvic	23 January 1996	list
154660 Kavelaars	29 March 2004	list
157194 Saddlemyer	21 August 2004	list
168358 Casca	24 February 1996	list
197856 Tafelmusik	21 August 2004	list
202740 Vicsympho	11 June 2007	list
(217670) 1998 UQ₆	22 October 1998	list

important; height: 540px;
241090 Nemet	23 October 2006	list
246238 Crampton	5 September 2007	list
255703 Stetson	25 August 2006	list
(256550) 2007 LV₁₄	11 June 2007	list
(262002) 2006 QE₅₇	23 August 2006	list
273987 Greggwade	11 June 2007	list
288478 Fahlman	16 March 2004	list
289314 Chisholm	30 September 2003	list
292051 Bohlender	14 September 2006	list
293878 Tapping	9 September 2007	list
304233 Majaess	14 September 2006	list
308825 Siksika	14 September 2006	list
314988 Sireland	13 December 2006	list
315012 Hutchings	20 January 2007	list
315186 Schade	11 June 2007	list
325973 Cardinal	13 December 2006	list
332324 Bobmcdonald	12 December 2006	list
345842 Alexparker	12 June 2007	list
350185 Linnell	3 June 2006	list
(352102) 2007 AG₁₂	13 January 2007	list

important; height: 432px;
(353349) 2010 VT₁₀₃	9 September 2007	list
(356450) 2010 XF₈₅	11 June 2007	list
358376 Gwyn	13 December 2006	list
(359945) 2012 AR₈	12 June 2007	list
362793 Suetolson	23 August 2006	list
378204 Bettyhesser	26 December 2006	list
380480 Glennhawley	16 December 2003	list
381260 Ouellette	11 October 2007	list
383417 DAO	23 October 2006	list
402920 Tsawout	7 October 2007	list
414026 Bochonko	11 June 2007	list
423097 Richardjarrell	16 December 2003	list
427695 Johnpazder	16 March 2004	list
(428347) 2007 LR₃₀	11 June 2007	list
475802 Zurek	13 December 2006	list
516560 Annapolisroyal	12 December 2006	list
Co-discovery made with: ^A P. B. Stetson

References

^ "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
^ Dickinson, Terence (May 10, 1998). "B.C. telescope a key anti-asteroid sentry". Toronto Star.
^ ^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. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
^ "New comet named after astronomers". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. November 13, 1998. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
^ McNeney, Mike (February 6, 1998). "Sharp-eyed Balam co-discovers comet". The Ring/University of Victoria. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
^ "Asteroid has Tafelmusik's name on it". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. April 17, 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2010.
^ "Minor Planets and Comets" (PDF). Minor Planet Circular. 13 (105). International Astronomical Union: 74. May 31, 1988. Retrieved February 1, 2010.

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[MPC-Discoverers-1] "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 4 September 2016. Retrieved 16 September 2016.

[Star51098-2] Dickinson, Terence (May 10, 1998). "B.C. telescope a key anti-asteroid sentry". Toronto Star.

[VTC07-3] "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. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2010.

[CBC98-4] "New comet named after astronomers". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. November 13, 1998. Retrieved 1 February 2010.

[5] McNeney, Mike (February 6, 1998). "Sharp-eyed Balam co-discovers comet". The Ring/University of Victoria. Retrieved 1 February 2010.

[6] "Asteroid has Tafelmusik's name on it". Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. April 17, 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2010.

[7] "Minor Planets and Comets" (PDF). Minor Planet Circular. 13 (105). International Astronomical Union: 74. May 31, 1988. Retrieved February 1, 2010.

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