Nalin Samarasinha

Nalin Samarasinha is a Sri Lankan born Astronomer based in United States. Currently he works as a Senior Scientist for Planetary Science Institute.[1][2][3]

Dr

Nalin Samarasinha
Born
Sri Lanka
NationalityUS
EducationNalanda College Colombo
University of Colombo
University of Maryland, College Park USA
OccupationAstronomer
EmployerPlanetary Science Institute USA
Known forfirst native born citizen of Sri Lanka to gain the distinction of having an Asteroid named after him
TitleSenior Scientist

Early life

Samarasinha earned a BSc first class honours in Physics from University of Colombo after schooling at Nalanda College Colombo. Later he gained a MSc in astronomy from University of Maryland, College Park USA and followed it up furthering studies graduating with a PhD in Astronomy from the University of Maryland.[4]

Astronomy

In 2002 the International Astronomical Union renamed Asteroid (12871) 1998 ML37 found by Lowell Observatory as Asteroid (12871) Samarasinha in his honour. Samarasinha is the first native born citizen of Sri Lanka to gain the distinction of having an Asteroid named after him.[5]

References
  1. “Anuradhapura”, another far off Asteroid
  2. Lankan astronomer’s voyage of discovery with Comet Hartley 2
  3. Nalin Samarasinha
  4. Nalin Samarasinha
  5. Celestial honour for Lankan astronomer
  • "Comet ISON and Mars imaged together during close approach". phys.org.
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