Asteroids named after people called Mary
👶 Mary as a baby name🐶 Mary as a dog name🐱 Mary as a cat name
(4793) Slessor
Mary Slessor (1848-1915) was a Scottish missionary to Nigeria. Her work and strong personality allowed her to be accepted by the locals. She campaigned against injustices against women and sought to raise their status. She also took in outcasts and worked tirelessly to protect children, particularly unwanted twins.Discovered 1 September 1988 by H. Debehogne, La Silla
(5595) Roth
Named in honor of Mary L. Roth (b. 1935), executive assistant to the organizing committee of the “Asteroids, Comets, Meteors” meeting held at Cornell University in July 1999. Roth has been a diligent contributor to the Cornell space effort for the past 25 years, encompassing missions such as Viking, Voyager, Galileo, NEAR and CONTOUR. Name suggested by B. E. Clark and citation provided by J. Veverka.Discovered 5 August 1991 by H. E. Holt, Palomar
(6603) Marycragg
Mary A. Cragg (b. 1938) developed the Telescopes in Education (TIE) office infrastructure. It is used as a model for other remote educational telescope operations.Discovered 19 May 1990 by E. F. Helin, Palomar
(7091) Maryfields
‘Stagecoach’ Mary Fields (c. 1832–1914) was an African-American folk hero and trailblazer. She was a mail carrier in Montana in her 60's, braving harsh weather but never missing a day. Loved by her community, her birthday was a local holiday. She refused to be limited by social norms or laws.Discovered 1 May 1992 by Lawrence, K. J., Helin, E. F., Palomar
(7958) Leakey
Named for Mary Leakey (1913-1996), her husband Louis Leakey (1903-1972) and her son Richard Leakey (b. 1944), all major figures in the paleoanthropology of Africa. Mary and Louis worked together for 30 years and proved that human evolution was centered in Africa, rather than in Asia. Many of their most important discoveries were made at Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania. With his team in Kenya, Richard Leakey discovered that the Koobi Fora site contained one of the richest and most varied assemblages of early human remains anywhere in the world.Discovered 5 June 1994 by Shoemaker, C. S., Shoemaker, E. M., Palomar
(9824) Marylea
Mary Lea Shane, née Heger (1897-1983), wife of Lick Observatory director C. Donald Shane, was an astronomer in her own right. She identified the interstellar Na I absorption lines and discovered the first of the mysterious diffuse interstellar bands. She also established the Lick Observatory Archives.Discovered 30 September 1973 by van Houten, C. J., van Houten-Groeneveld, I., Gehrels, T., Palomar
(10870) Gwendolen
Mary Gwendolen Ellery Read Aikman (1903-1994) was an inspiring educator and mother of the discoverer.Discovered 25 September 1996 by G. C. L. Aikman, Dominion
(11369) Brazelton
Mary Augusta Brazelton (b. 1986) is a finalist in the 2002 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her mathematics project. She attends the Bishop McNamara High School, Fort Washington, Maryland, U.S.A.Discovered 17 August 1998 by LINEAR, Socorro
(12590) Ballantine
Mary Shea Ballantine (b. 2006) was a finalist in the 2019 Broadcom MASTERS, a math and science competition for middle-school students, for her microbiology and biochemistry project. She attended the Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic School, Louisville, Kentucky.Discovered 9 September 1999 by LINEAR, Socorro
(12627) Maryedwards
Mary Edwards (c. 1750-1815), of Ludlow, Shropshire, was a skillful mathematical and astronomical computer. From 1773 until her death she performed most of the astronomical computations necessary for the preparation of the Nautical Almanac. The name was suggested by R. H. van Gent.Discovered 25 March 1971 by van Houten, C. J., van Houten-Groeneveld, I., Gehrels, T., Palomar
(12628) Acworthorr
Mary Acworth Orr (1867-1949), wife of the solar physicist and Kodaikanal Observatory director John Evershed, in 1913 published a detailed study of the numerous astronomical allusions in the works of the Italian poet Dante Alighieri. The name was suggested by R. H. van Gent.Discovered 25 March 1971 by van Houten, C. J., van Houten-Groeneveld, I., Gehrels, T., Palomar
(13412) Guerrieri
Mary Guerrieri (b. 1966) has supported astronomical research at the University of Arizona. She served as an editor of the university Press Space Science Series, manager of the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory's Space Imagery Center and manager of Academic Affairs for the Department of Planetary Sciences.Discovered 29 October 1999 by CSS, Catalina
(15107) Toepperwein
Named in honor of Mary Anne J. Toepperwein for mentoring a finalist in the 2001 Discovery Young Scientist Challenge (DYSC), a middle school science competition. Toepperwein is a teacher at the William P. Hobby Middle School, San Antonio, Texas.Discovered 2 February 2000 by LINEAR, Socorro
(16059) Marybuda
Mary Buda mentored a finalist in the 2003 Intel Science Talent Search, a science competition for high school seniors. She teaches at the Winston Churchill High School, Livonia, Michigan.Discovered 12 May 1999 by LINEAR, Socorro
(16075) Meglass
Mary Elizabeth Glass mentored a finalist in the 2003 Intel Science Talent Search, a science competition for high school seniors. She teaches at the Canterbury School, Fort Myers, Florida.Discovered 9 September 1999 by LINEAR, Socorro
(16241) Dvorsky
Named in honor of Mary Ann Dvorsky for mentoring a finalist in the 2002 Intel Science Talent Search, a science competition for high school seniors. Dvorsky is a teacher at the Montgomery Blair High School, Silver Spring, Maryland.Discovered 7 April 2000 by LINEAR, Socorro
(17247) Vanverst
Named in honor of Mary VanVerst for mentoring a finalist in the 2002 Intel Science Talent Search, a science competition for high school seniors. VanVerst is a teacher at the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, Aurora, Illinois.Discovered 7 April 2000 by LINEAR, Socorro
(19436) Marycole
Mary Elizabeth Cole (b. 1985) was awarded fourth place in the 2003 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her environmental science project. She attends the Demopolis High School, Demopolis, Alabama, U.S.A.Discovered 24 March 1998 by LINEAR, Socorro
(19473) Marygardner
Mary Melissa Gardner (b. 1985) was awarded fourth place in the 2003 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her microbiology project. She attends the Spalding High School, Griffin, Georgia, U.S.A.Discovered 21 April 1998 by LINEAR, Socorro
(19810) Partridge
Mary Partridge mentored a finalist in the 2003 Discovery Channel Youth Science Challenge, a middle school science competition. She teaches at the St. Joseph School, Athens, Georgia.Discovered 24 September 2000 by LINEAR, Socorro
(20007) Marybrown
Mary J. Brown (b. 1945) assisted in organizing the Palomar Observatory's 1.2-m Schmidt Oschin Telescope plate archive at the California Institute of Technology. This eight-month project was accomplished in 2002 by a dedicated group of eleven volunteers, of which Mary was a valuable member.Discovered 7 June 1991 by Shoemaker, C. S., Shoemaker, E. M., Palomar
(20444) Mamesser
Mary Anne Messer (b. 1989) is a finalist in the 2004 Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge (DCYSC), a middle school science competition, for her behavioral science project. She attends the Presbyterian Christian School, Hattiesburg, Mississippi.Discovered 10 May 1999 by LINEAR, Socorro
(20990) Maryannehervey
Mary Anne Hervey (1796–1838) was the wife of Fearon Fallows, an English resident astronomer at the Royal Observatory at the Cape. She often assisted him with his observations, and even made an independent discovery of C/1830 F1 (Great Comet). When Fearon died in 1831 she returned to England, carrying his papers and unpublished data.Discovered 1 September 1983 by H. Debehogne, La Silla
(20992) Marypearse
Mary Pearse (1802–1861) was the spouse of Thomas Maclear at the Cape of Good Hope where, between 1841 and 1848, he was fully occupied with the geodetic survey of the Cape Colony. Mary gave him strong support throughout his long absences. She and her husband are buried together in the grounds of the South African Astronomical Observatory in Cape Town.Discovered 5 September 1985 by H. Debehogne, La Silla
(21479) Marymartha
Mary Martha Ferrari Douglas (b. 1988) was awarded first place and Best in Category in the 2006 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her behavioral and social sciences team project. She received the EU Contest for Young Scientists Award. She attends the Manhasset High School, Manhasset, New York, U.S.A.Discovered 23 April 1998 by LINEAR, Socorro
(21561) Masterman
Mary Masterman (b. 1989) was awarded first place in the 2006 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her physics project. She attends the Westmoore High School, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.A.Discovered 28 August 1998 by LINEAR, Socorro
(21861) Maryhedberg
Mary Lucia Hedberg (b. 1991) is a finalist in the 2005 Discovery Channel Young Scientist Challenge (DCYSC), a middle school science competition, for her engineering project. She attends the North Attleboro Middle School, North Attleboro, Massachusetts.Discovered 12 October 1999 by LINEAR, Socorro
(24296) Marychristie
Mary Christie mentored a finalist in the 2008 Intel Science Talent Search (STS), a science competition for high school seniors. She teaches at the Bellevue High School, Bellevue, Washington.Discovered 14 December 1999 by LINEAR, Socorro
(24370) Marywang
Mary Xue Wang (b. 1991) was awarded second place in the 2008 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her chemistry team project. She attends the Catalina Foothills High School, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A.Discovered 5 January 2000 by LINEAR, Socorro
(24827) Maryphil
Mary Clark (b. 1938) and Phil Spahr (b. 1938) are the parents of the discoverer. They have been very supportive of the scientific career choice of their son.Discovered 2 September 1995 by T. B. Spahr, Catalina Station
(25867) DeMuth
Mary DeMuth (b. 1954) has worked at Lowell Observatory since 2001, starting as the Observatory's front office receptionist, then in Public Programs as an educator, then in scheduling and now as Volunteer Coordinator.Discovered 26 April 2000 by LONEOS, Anderson Mesa
(26592) Maryrenfro
Mary Renfro Reeves (b. 1957) is a physical therapist in San Antonio, TX. She is an authority in geriatric therapy, and is also an accomplished pastel landscape artist.Discovered 3 March 2000 by CSS, Catalina
(26698) Maryschroeder
Mary M. Schroeder (b. 1940) is a long-time member of Lowell Observatory's Advisory Board. Mary is a supporter of the LOCKs program, which offers science camps for elementary school children.Discovered 31 March 2001 by LONEOS, Anderson Mesa
(28664) Maryellenfay
Mary Ellen Fay mentored a finalist in the 2013 Intel Science Talent Search, a science competition for high-school seniors. She teaches at the Kings Park High School, Kings Park, New York.Discovered 5 April 2000 by LINEAR, Socorro
(28801) Maryanderson
Mary Anderson mentored a finalist in the 2013 Broadcom MASTERS, a math and science competition for middle school students. She teaches at the West Shore Junior/Senior High School, Melbourne, Florida.Discovered 27 April 2000 by LINEAR, Socorro
(33264) Maryrogers
Mary Rogers mentored a finalist in the 2016 Broadcom MASTERS, a math and science competition for middle school students. She teaches at St. John the Evangelist, Severna Park, Maryland.Discovered 21 April 1998 by LINEAR, Socorro
(33347) Maryzhu
Mary Zhu (b. 1998) was a finalist in the 2017 Regeneron STS, and was awarded 2nd place at the 2016 ISEF for her behavioral and social sciences project. She attends the Nashua High School South, Nashua, New Hampshire.Discovered 14 December 1998 by LINEAR, Socorro
(33457) Cutillo
Mary Cutillo mentored a finalist in the 2017 Regeneron Science Talent Search, a science competition for high school seniors. She teaches at the Perkiomen Valley High School, Collegeville, Pennsylvania.Discovered 19 March 1999 by LINEAR, Socorro
(34739) Maryalice
Mary Alice Fitzpatrick Jouve (b. 2001) was awarded second place in the 2018 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her physics and astronomy project. She attended the McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, Mobile, Alabama, U.S.A.Discovered 16 August 2001 by LINEAR, Socorro
(45699) Maryalba
Mary Alba (b. 1957) is the daughter of Walter and Peggy Haas, founders of the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO). On her own she has been a strong supporter of the organization, encouraging observers and taking her displays of ALPO history to national astronomical meetings.Discovered 1 March 2000 by CSS, Catalina
(50753) Maryblagg
Mary Adela Blagg (1858–1944) was an English astronomer. After joining the British Astronomical Association, she helped develop a uniform system of lunar nomenclature and was later elected as a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. She joined the Lunar Commission of the IAU in 1920, standardizing lunar nomenclature in Named Lunar Formations/.Discovered 3 March 2000 by CSS, Catalina
(52691) Maryrobinettek
Mary Robinette Kowal (b. 1969) is an American science fiction writer and puppeteer whose very human heroines, at the forefront of science and engineering in their universes, inspire us to explore our solar system ourselves.Discovered 18 March 1998 by Spacewatch, Kitt Peak
(84926) Marywalker
Mary Walker (b. 1960) is the Instrument Systems Manager for the OSIRIS-REx Mission. She has also served as the Instrument Systems Manager and the Deputy Project Manager for the Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellite Project, and the Attitude Control System Lead Engineer for Fast Auroral Snapshot Explorer.Discovered 16 November 2003 by CSS, Catalina
(90481) Wollstonecraft
Mary Wollstonecraft (1759-1797) was a revolutionary champion of gender equality. Arguing that the rights of women, as those of men, rely on intellectual, economic and legal autonomy, she challenged the mores of her time and influenced feminist thought for centuries.Discovered 16 February 2004 by Dellinger, J., Wells, D., Needville
(98825) Maryellen
Mary Ellen Craven has been a faithful companion and partner for many years. Her support and assistance has permitted the discoverer to continue his interest in astronomy.Discovered 27 December 2000 by E. E. Sheridan, Kanab
(144907) Whitehorne
Mary Lou Whitehorne, currently second vice-president of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, has devoted much of her life to educating young people in the basics of astronomy. Her original and interesting approach has led to a surge of interest in astronomy among young people throughout Canada.Discovered 16 December 2004 by Glinos, T., Levy, D. H., Levy, W., Vail-Jarnac
(170700) Marygoldaross
Mary Golda Ross (1908–2008) was a Native American (Cherokee) mathematician and aerospace pioneer with Lockheed, whose projects included the Agena program and interplanetary probes. A passionate educator, Ross advocated for engineering and mathematics opportunities for women and Native Americans.Discovered 19 January 2004 by LONEOS, Anderson Mesa
(333490) Klaus
Mary A. Klaus (b. 1977) is an American engineer. She is the simulation integrator for the OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission. In addition to OSIRIS-REx Mary has also supported simulation development for GRAIL, Juno, MAVEN, InSight and Lucy as well as operations support for Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Odyssey and Spitzer.Discovered 2 December 2004 by CSS, Catalina
(333634) Maryhinkle
Mary L. Hinkle (b. 1988) is an American planetary scientist. She received a Master’s degree from the University of Central Florida in 2025. Mary has studied near-Earth asteroids using optical, near-infrared and radar techniques, including data taken at the Arecibo Observatory. She is also active in public outreach and science education.Discovered 9 April 2008 by CSS, Catalina
(649816) Marycoates
Mary Elizabeth Coates (b. 1943) has worked as a nurse and a sheltered-housing warden in Scotland and England. In addition to being a wife and mother, she has also been a foster mother. Mary is the widow of Michael Coates, a friend of the discoverer.Discovered 26 September 2011 by N. Falla, Mayhill