Local man discovers unnamed asteroid

By: Heather Long/ Staff Writer

Posted: 4/12/04

Amateur astronomer Robert Holmes Jr., of Charleston, recently discovered a new object in the heavens.

In March, with his 16-inch computer-controlled telescope, Holmes discovered an asteroid approximately 30 miles in diameter, which is roughly the distance from Charleston to Effingham.

Holmes' asteroid is relatively small to average in size.

"Anything from 30-60 miles in diameter would be average in size," he said. "The biggest known asteroid is 480 miles in diameter."

"The asteroid is out past Mars so it's a safe one," Holmes said.

Holmes plans to name the asteroid after his wife.

"She has been there for me while doing this," he said.

Holmes won't be able to name the asteroid just yet, however. The asteroid, along with another two asteroids he discovered around the same time, will have to be studied for a few more weeks. Holmes said he will need to study the asteroids' orbits and do more calculations to make sure the asteroids can be found time after time before he can officially name them.

Holmes said it is hard for amateurs to find new asteroids because the professionals have already found them.

"In order to discover an asteroid, you need to have a large telescope," Holmes said. "The one I have is borderline to being able to find an asteroid."

Holmes said he spent a lot of time searching the skies with his telescope.

"It took me about two years to learn what you need to know," he said.

Holmes has been actively searching the skies since he received his first telescope for Christmas.

Eastern recently purchased a telescope similar to Holmes' for a new observatory planned for construction in the fall.

"Hopefully the dome will be up by the end of April, and the telescope will be installed soon after," said James Conwell, professor of physics at Eastern.

Holmes said not everyone could discover an asteroid.

"There is a lot of math and being able to map out the orbit," Holmes said.

NASA was not available for comment on the discoveries.

As for now, Holmes said he will be waiting for the night skies to clear up so he can continue calculations for the asteroids.