Asteroids named after people called Maria
👶 Maria as a baby name🐶 Maria as a dog name🐱 Maria as a cat name
(4555) Josefaperez
María Josefa Pérez (1970-2014) was an astronomer at the Instituto de Astronomía y Física del Espacio, Buenos Aires, and at the La Plata Astronomical Observatory, who worked in extragalactic astronomy. She died after a painful battle against cancer.Discovered 24 August 1987 by S. Singer-Brewster, Palomar
(6635) Zuber
Named in honor of Maria T. Zuber, American geophysicist whose research interests have taken her into theoretical modeling of geophysical processes and the relationships between gravity, topography and tectonic features in planetary lithospheres. She has contributed to various space missions, including Mars Observer, the Clementine mission, Mars Global Surveyor and the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous mission.Discovered 26 September 1987 by Shoemaker, C. S., Shoemaker, E. M., Palomar
(7026) Gabrielasilang
María Josefa Gabriela Cariño Silang (1731-1763) was a leader of the Filipino fight for independence from Spain. A statue honoring her in Manila depicts her on a rearing horse, brandishing a bolo knife.Discovered 19 August 1993 by E. F. Helin, Palomar
(7722) Firneis
Named in honor of Maria Gertrude Firneis (b. 1947), a professor of astronomy at the University of Vienna. She has worked on delicate astrometric and statistical problems and is an authority on the history of astronomy. She is also engaged in dating ancient events and correlating them with celestial phenomena. Name suggested and citation prepared by H. Haupt.Discovered 29 September 1973 by van Houten, C. J., van Houten-Groeneveld, I., Gehrels, T., Palomar
(9013) Sansaturio
Maria Eugenia Sansaturio (b. 1959), a mathematician at the University of Valladolid, has used new algorithms to find several hundred new identifications of minor planets during the past few years. This object was the first to be numbered as the result of her work. The name was suggested by A. Milani.Discovered 14 August 1985 by E. Bowell, Anderson Mesa
(9815) Mariakirch
Maria Margarethe Kirch, née Winkelmann (1670-1720), wife and mother of astronomers, was an astronomer in her own right, observing, computing and publishing calendars, working in Berlin and Danzig. Although the comet of April 1702 was first credited to her husband, she was later acknowledged as the discoverer.Discovered 24 September 1960 by van Houten, C. J., van Houten-Groeneveld, I., Gehrels, T., Palomar
(9822) Hajdukova
Mária Hajduková (b. 1934), currently at the Astronomical Institute Comenius University, Bratislava (Modra Observatory), has been active in interplanetary matter research, mainly meteors---multicolor photometry and radiation (dependence of the color index on velocity). She educated a whole generation of astronomers in Slovakia.Discovered 26 March 1971 by van Houten, C. J., van Houten-Groeneveld, I., Gehrels, T., Palomar
(10924) Mariagriffin
Maria Griffin (b. 1962) is the wife of the discoverer.Discovered 29 January 1998 by I. P. Griffin, Cocoa
(11517) Esteracuna
Maria Ester Acuna Castillo (b. 1951) was a caretaker at the Manuel Foster Observatory for several decades. She assisted astronomers during observations with the historical single-prism spectrograph mounted on a replica of the Lick Observatory telescope on Cerro San Cristobal in the heart of Santiago de Chile.Discovered 12 March 1991 by H. Debehogne, La Silla
(12005) Delgiudice
Maria del Giudice (b. 1964) was a good and great friend of one of the team's observers and measurers, Frank Shelly. She is now his wife.Discovered 19 May 1996 by R. Weber, Socorro
(12624) Mariacunitia
Maria Cunitia (c. 1604-1664), the daughter of a Polish physician, taught herself astronomy, mathematics, medicine and history. In 1650 she published the Urania Propitia, a collection of astronomical tables based on Kepler's Rudolphine Tables. The name was suggested by R. H. van Gent.Discovered 17 October 1960 by van Houten, C. J., van Houten-Groeneveld, I., Gehrels, T., Palomar
(13760) Rodriguez
Maria Rodriguez mentored a finalist in the 2002 Discovery Channel Youth Science Challenge (DCYSC), a middle school science competition. She teaches at the Arvida Middle School, Miami, Florida.Discovered 26 September 1998 by LINEAR, Socorro
(14230) Mariahines
Named in honor of Maria L. Hines for mentoring a finalist in the 2001 Discovery Young Scientist Challenge (DYSC), a middle school science competition. Hines is a teacher at the Orchard Day Home School, Ft. Wayne, Indiana.Discovered 7 December 1999 by LINEAR, Socorro
(14345) Gritsevich
Maria Gritsevich (b. 1977) is a research scientist at the Finnish Geodetic Institute specializing in the ablation properties of meteorites. In particular, her work has contributed toward understanding the trajectory and orbit of the Chelyabinsk meteoroid.Discovered 14 August 1985 by E. Bowell, Anderson Mesa
(14624) Prymachenko
Maria Avksentyevna Prymachenko (1909-1998) was a prolific Ukrainian artist who mainly expressed herself in the naïve style of painting. She was also an accomplished embroiderer and potter. The name was suggested by K. I. Churyumov.Discovered 18 October 1998 by LONEOS, Anderson Mesa
(14728) Schuchardt
Maria Schuchardt (b. 1955) is the data manager for the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory Space Imagery Center at the University of Arizona. She is also the LPL photographer and involved in many LPL outreach activities, including support for many NASA spacecraft missions.Discovered 26 February 2000 by CSS, Catalina
(15120) Mariafelix
Maria Jesús Albors Félix (b. 1965) is the wife of the discoverer. This naming is in acknowledgment of her support, patience and understanding in accommodating the discoverer's work in observing minor planets.Discovered 4 March 2000 by J. J. Gomez, Marxuquera
(15315) Sundin
Maria Sundin (b. 1965) is a Swedish astronomer at the University of Gothenburg. She is known for her long-running evening courses in astronomy and extensive public outreach via radio and other media.Discovered 19 March 1993 by UESAC, La Silla
(15855) Mariasalvatore
Maria Salvatore (b. 1963) is an enthusiast of small Solar System bodies, who has played a major role in promoting astronomy to the public. She has organized astronomical and scientific events, especially conferences and seminars for the study of asteroids. Name suggested by Claudio Casacci.Discovered 14 February 1996 by Tombelli, M., Munari, U., Cima Ekar
(16765) Agnesi
Maria Gaetana Agnesi (1718-1799) was the first woman in the western world who can properly be called a mathematician. She wrote a treatise on algebra that was widely translated, and in 1750 she was appointed to a professorship at the University of Bologna.Discovered 16 October 1996 by P. G. Comba, Prescott
(17147) Mariafields
Maria Liberty Fields (b. 2002) was a finalist in the 2020 Regeneron Science Talent Search, a science competition for high school seniors, for her computational biology and bioinformatics project. She attended the University Liggett School, Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan.Discovered 13 May 1999 by LINEAR, Socorro
(17614) Mariamartinez
Maria Martínez (b. 1969) is a Spanish mathematician and historian at the Polytechnic University of Valencia. She obtained her Ph.D. in mathematics in 1996, followed by an MSc degree in history. Maria’s research combines both disciplines, focusing particularly on recovering medieval astronomical records written in vernacular languages.Discovered 27 October 1995 by Sicoli, P., Chiavenna, P., Sormano
(17899) Mariacristina
Maria Cristina De Sanctis (b. 1967), of the Instituto di Astrofisica Spaziale e Fisica Cosmica, Rome, models the physical properties of cometary nuclei. She is a participant in several space missions to small solar-system bodies.Discovered 22 March 1999 by LONEOS, Anderson Mesa
(17961) Mariagorodnitsky
Maria Gorodnitsky (b. 1985) was awarded fourth place in the 2003 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her microbiology project. She attends the Yorktown High School, Yorktown Heights, New York, U.S.A.Discovered 10 May 1999 by LINEAR, Socorro
(18189) Medeobaldia
Maria Elena De Obaldia (b. 1986) was awarded second place in the 2003 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her microbiology project. She attends the Moorestown High School, Moorestown, New Jersey, U.S.A.Discovered 24 August 2000 by LINEAR, Socorro
(18205) Camarca
Maria Camarca (b. 1996) is an American observational planetary scientist at the California Institute of Technology. She uses ALMA and JWST to understand the regolith generation and evolution on Solar System bodies like Callisto, including its history of bombardment and infall by (micro)meteorites, and Keck to study the composition of comets.Discovered 24 September 1960 by van Houten, C. J., van Houten-Groeneveld, I., Gehrels, T., Palomar
(19497) Pineda
Maria Luisa Pineda (b. 1985) was awarded fourth place in the 2003 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her zoology project. She attends the American Senior High School, Miami, Florida, U.S.A.Discovered 22 May 1998 by LINEAR, Socorro
(20055) Mariaespinola
María Espínola Espínola (1878–1963) was a Uruguayan teacher and supervisor who founded the first school of technical studies in San José de Mayo city. In 1921 she became a member of the Council of Normal and Primary Education, the highest post ever held by a woman in Uruguay up to that time. In 1922 she published the book La escuela y el progreso.Discovered 19 March 1993 by UESAC, La Silla
(20286) Michta
Maria Lynn Michta (b. 1986) is a finalist in the 2004 Intel Science Talent Search, a science competition for high school seniors, for her earth and space sciences project. She attends the Sachem North High School, Lake Ronkonkoma, New York.Discovered 20 March 1998 by LINEAR, Socorro
(20390) Isabelherreros
Maria Isabel Herreros Cid (b. 1975) is a Spanish physicist specializing in the mechanics of fluids and solids and asteroids physics. She is an official member of the DART mission, which investigated the Didymos system. Maria studies craters formation and asteroid surface dynamics.Discovered 23 May 1998 by LINEAR, Socorro
(20509) Mariavarela
María Varela (b. 1961) is an Argentinean geologist and cosmochemist. Author of the book Meteoritos, restos rocosos del Sistema Solar primitivo, her studies include the physicochemical conditions of chondrule formation, and the relationship between iron meteorites and achondrites. María is a leading expert in meteorite classification in Latin America.Discovered 7 September 1999 by LINEAR, Socorro
(21388) Moyanodeburt
Maria Moyano de Burt (b. 1951), a 2004 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Excellence in Teaching Award finalist, is a teacher at the Escuela de Comercio Republica de Panama, Concepcion, Tucuman, Argentina.Discovered 20 March 1998 by LINEAR, Socorro
(21516) Mariagodinez
Maria Estela Godinez (b. 1989) was awarded first place and Best in Category in the 2006 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her computer science project. She attends the CBTIS No.139, San Francisco del Rincon, Guanajuato, Mexico.Discovered 23 May 1998 by LINEAR, Socorro
(21846) Wojakowski
Maria Malgorzata Wojakowski (b. 1987) was awarded fourth place in the 2005 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her zoology project. She also received the Intel Foundation Achievement Award. She attends the Townsend Harris High School at Queens College, Flushing, New York, U.S.A.Discovered 4 October 1999 by LINEAR, Socorro
(23700) Mariagalan
María Galán Sánchez (b. 1997) is a dedicated Spanish humanitarian and co-founder of the NGO Babies Uganda. For years, she has transformed the lives of hundreds of orphaned and vulnerable children in Africa through education and healthcare. This naming honors her exemplary altruism, projecting human kindness into the cosmos.Discovered 25 July 1997 by Pacheco, R., Lopez, A., Costitx
(24204) Trinkle
Maria Trinkle mentored a finalist in the 2008 Intel Science Talent Search (STS), a science competition for high school seniors. She teaches at the Smithtown High School East, Saint James, New York.Discovered 7 December 1999 by LINEAR, Socorro
(27410) Grimmett
Maria Elena Grimmett (b. 1998) is a finalist in the 2011 Broadcom MASTERS, a math and science competition for middle-school students, for her environmental sciences project. She attends the Weiss School, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.Discovered 12 March 2000 by LINEAR, Socorro
(27931) Zeitlin-Trinkle
Maria Zeitlin-Trinkle mentored a finalist in the 2012 Intel Science Talent Search, a science competition for high-school seniors. She teaches at the Smithtown High School East, St. James, New York.Discovered 2 April 1997 by LINEAR, Socorro
(28343) Florcalandra
Maria Florencia Calandra (b. 1990) is a member of the Planetary Science Group of the Universidad Nacional de San Juan (Argentina). She studies the formation and evolution of Oort clouds in the Solar and exoplanetary systems.Discovered 20 March 1999 by LONEOS, Anderson Mesa
(29346) Mariadina
Maria Dina Mannozzi (b. 1927) has since 1950 been a midwife in Montelupo.Discovered 25 February 1995 by M. Tombelli, Cima Ekar
(30146) Decandia
Maria DeCandia mentored a finalist in the 2014 Intel Science Talent Search, a science competition for high school seniors. She teaches at the Edgemont High School, Scarsdale, New York.Discovered 5 April 2000 by LINEAR, Socorro
(33882) Schonbachler
Maria Schönbächler (b. 1969) is a Swiss professor of Isotope Geology at ETH Zürich, Switzerland. She studies the history and early evolution of the solar system by analysing and modeling isotope anomalies in meteorites and samples from the Moon.Discovered 4 May 2000 by LONEOS, Anderson Mesa
(34063) Mariamakarova
Maria Makarova (b. 1999) was awarded second place in the 2017 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her chemistry team project. She attends the Moscow Chemical Lyceum, Moscow, Russia.Discovered 31 July 2000 by LINEAR, Socorro
(37840) Gramegna
Maria Gramegna (1887-1915) was an Italian mathematician who studied linear differential equations. The techniques in his thesis, now lost, were highly original. He taught mathematics in Avezzano, and was one of 30000 people killed during the 1915 January 13 earthquake.Discovered 20 February 1998 by Osservatorio San Vittore, Bologna
(39336) Mariacapria
The main interests of Maria Teresa Capria, a researcher at IASF-CNR in Rome, concern modeling cometary nuclei, high-resolution spectroscopy and the role of ices in the solar system. She has been particularly involved in the VIRTIS experiment on the Rosetta mission, working on instrument operation planning and data analysis.Discovered 11 January 2002 by CINEOS, Campo Imperatore
(41030) Mariawomack
Maria Womack (b. 1963) is a researcher at the Florida Space Institute at the University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL). She has served as a professor at multiple universities and a program director for the National Science Foundation. Her research includes studies of comets and active centaurs.Discovered 31 October 1999 by LONEOS, Anderson Mesa
(43752) Maryosipova
Maria Yur'evna Osipova (b. 1977) is the younger daughter of the discoverer and mother of her two grandchildren. After graduating from the Physics Department of Moscow University she works as an engineer at a research institute.Discovered 20 October 1982 by L. G. Karachkina, Nauchnyj
(48934) Kocanova
Mária Kočanová (1890-1976) was a Slovak writer, novelist and dramatist. She drew themes from contemporary life, European and world history or Bible stories. Her manuscripts are kept in a museum in Prešov.Discovered 18 August 1998 by Kalmancok, D., Pravda, A., Modra
(55112) Mariangela
Maria Angels Gassol i Avante (b. 1950) is the wife of the discoverer.Discovered 28 August 2001 by J. Guarro, Piera
(55987) Mariaruiz
María Teresa Ruiz (b. 1946) is a Chilean astronomer recognized for her discovery of the first brown dwarf. A professor at the University of Chile, she has made contributions to the study of stellar evolution. María is also a dedicated advocate for science education and gender equality in scientific fields.Discovered 24 September 1998 by CSS, Catalina
(82463) Mluigiaborsi
Maria Luigia Borsi (b. 1973) is an Italian opera singer. A lyric soprano, she has performed in major opera houses around the world and is known especially for interpreting operas by Puccini and Verdi.Discovered 21 July 2001 by Tesi, L., Forti, G., San Marcello
(102618) Marionacaldentey
Maria Francesca Caldentey Oliver (b. 1996), better known as Mariona Caldentey, is a Spanish footballer. Since 2024, she has played as a forward for Arsenal F.C. In 102 appearances for the Spanish national team she has scored 31 goals.Discovered 8 November 1999 by Pacheco, R., Lopez, A., Costitx
(188256) Stothoff
Maria M. Stothoff (b. 1966) served as the Public Affairs Deputy Chief for the Southwest Research Institute for the New Horizons Mission to Pluto.Discovered 7 December 2002 by M. W. Buie, Kitt Peak
(224858) Kunmaria
Mária Kun (b. 1949) is a Hungarian astronomer, one of the most active observers in the photographic era with the Schmidt telescope at Piszkéstető Observatory. Her field of research is star formation in the Milky Way. Through her translation of numerous science popularization books, she greatly influenced the popularity of astronomy in Hungary.Discovered 28 December 2006 by K. Sarneczky, Piszkesteto
(229614) Womack
Maria P. Womack (b. 1963) is an American astronomer at the University of Central Florida. She has made important spectroscopic contributions to understanding the chemical composition and onset of cometary activity.Discovered 24 February 2006 by Mt. Lemmon Survey, Mount Lemmon
(369134) Mariareiche
Maria Reiche (1903–1998) was a German-born Peruvian scientist who studied the Nazca Lines of Peru. Her life's work was documenting and protecting the lines, as well as disseminating information about them.Discovered 8 September 2008 by Schwab, E., Zimmer, U., Taunus
(390743) Telkesmaria
Mária Telkes (1900–1995) was a Hungarian-born American physical chemist and biophysicist, best known for her invention of the solar distiller and the first solar-powered heating system designed for residences. She also invented other devices capable of storing energy captured from sunlight.Discovered 20 September 2003 by B. SipÅcz K. Sárneczky, Piszkesteto
(450806) Mariamalibran
Maria Felicia Malibran (1808–1836) was a Spanish mezzo-soprano and one of the best-known opera singers of the 19th century. Celebrated both for her dramatic intensity on stage and her exceptional vocal range, she became a legendary figure after her untimely death.Discovered 9 October 2007 by CSS, Catalina
(571938) Mariaeimmart
Maria Clara Eimmart (Eimmartin) (1676–1707) was a German astronomer and painter, as well as the first female selenographist in Nuremberg. She made more than 300 exact illustrations of the Moon for lunar maps.Discovered 6 January 2008 by Zelenchukskaya Stn, Zelenchukskaya Stn