Gianluca Masi

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]

Minor planets discovered: 26 [1]
see § List of discovered minor planets

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 in several robotic telescopes, remotely available in real-time over the Internet. Through this system, real time, online observing sessions 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
10931 Ceccano16 February 1998list
20433 Prestinenza14 February 1999list
20513 Lazio10 September 1999list [A]
21661 Olgagermani1 September 1999list
21685 Francomallia11 September 1999list
21799 Ciociaria1 October 1999list [A]
(25337) 1999 PK6 August 1999list
40409 Taichikato6 September 1999list
49501 Basso13 February 1999list
(65487) 2003 CD209 February 2003list [B]
66458 Romaplanetario22 August 1999list
73453 Ninomanfredi13 July 2002list [A]
74625 Tieproject10 September 1999list [A]
79641 Daniloceirani19 September 1998list [A]
(95784) 2003 FS628 March 2003list
98722 Elenaumberto22 December 2000list
101902 Gisellaluccone3 September 1999list
145820 Valeromeo15 October 1998list
216591 Coetzee21 July 2002list
(220296) 2003 CX2013 February 2003list [B]
243637 Frosinone8 October 1999list
(253311) 2003 CC2011 February 2003list [B]
269762 Nocentini4 October 1999list
(317631) 2003 CB2011 February 2003list [B]
(317633) 2003 CY2013 February 2003list [B]
(435127) 2007 EE8814 March 2007list
Co-discovery made with:
A F. Mallia
B R. Michelsen

See also

References
  1. "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 4 May 2018. Retrieved 29 May 2018.
  2. 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. "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.
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