I believe I knew before PZ Myers did that an Asteroid had been named after him. I heard it on the radio. and much later on he confirmed it on his blog. See this post.
[Correction: He knew, he was just being cool. See this.]
Curiously, PZ claims that we do not know what the asteroid looks like. He relies on a description provided by his arch rival, Phil Plait. Why would he trust Phil Plait to describe his asteroid?
Anyway, I went into the NASA archives (to which I have special access because of my work on the robot problem) and dug out a pretty clear photograph of the asteroid. Here it is:
Physical Science
Comments
Is that a humongous egg-sac?
Posted by: Coturnix | March 25, 2008 2:25 PM
No, man, it's an asteroid with a squid sitting on it!!!!
Posted by: Greg Laden | March 25, 2008 2:38 PM
The End, or deliverance for the believers, is near. Our squiddy overlords have arrived. All will praise our tentacled overlords.*
*(Under penalty of death, or at least a nasty squirt of ink in the face.)
Posted by: Art | March 25, 2008 2:54 PM
Should I ask the obvious question?
Will this asteroid be the one that causes the next major extinction?
Posted by: Elizabeth | March 25, 2008 3:23 PM
Actually, I told PZ about his asteroid on the phone Sunday night, well before we told any radio stations about it. I took care that he wouldn't be blindsided by finding this out from the media.
And yes, as the asteroid's co-discoverer, I can tell you that your picture is right on; in fact, I believe that may be one of the discovery images!
Posted by: blue collar scientist | March 25, 2008 3:23 PM
Ah, that is interesting, because I saw him Saturday night and he did not have his head in the clouds.
Yes, that is one of the discovery images. As I say I have special access to the archives because of my 007 Robot Team status.
But in all seriousness, I think that is a great thing that you've done. Making a contribution to science by discovering neighboring planetoids aside, recognizing people in this way is very cool.
Posted by: Greg Laden | March 25, 2008 3:38 PM
Big deal. I once had an asterisk named after me.
Posted by: Virgil Samms | March 25, 2008 3:57 PM
sorry i can't resist:
Rusty Griswald: Ya' got Asteroids?
Cousin Dale: Naw, but my dad does. Can't even sit on the toilet some days.
-National Lampoon's Vacation
Posted by: Rick MacPherson | March 25, 2008 4:08 PM
Ha ha ha! Good one!
Posted by: Caveat | March 25, 2008 4:25 PM
Thanks, Greg. I've been doing this (naming asteroids) for a few years now, and it is still a bit surreal to me that I would ever have this kind of opportunity. It is a real privilege.
Posted by: blue collar scientist | March 25, 2008 5:53 PM
He's not really going to have it made until he gets a droid named after him. P2Z2....
Posted by: Ian | March 25, 2008 11:17 PM
If by extinct you mean it is the vehicle delivering our Squid Overlords to Earth resulting in our doom, then yes.
Posted by: Rev. BigDumbChimp | March 26, 2008 11:07 AM