Asteroid named after Columbus State astrophysicist

A Columbus State University faculty member is now celestially famous.

The International Astronomical Union has named an asteroid after Andrew Puckett, an assistant professor of astrophysics in CSU's Department of Earth and Space Sciences.

After he co-discovered more than 40 minor planets and asteroids, the union honored him by dubbing Asteroid 184011 Andypuckett, thanks to the nomination from a colleague.

"Knowing that it's out there as the official name, and if anyone ever studies that object, it will be with my name well, it feels amazing to have that kind permanency," Puckett said in a news release.

But he isn't the first member of his family to receive the distinction. Asteroid 178266 is officially called Rebaccalouise, named as a gift for Puckett's wife, Rebecca, because it was discovered three days before their first wedding anniversary in 2006.

"It's really fun to discover something," Puckett said in the release, "but the idea that you can actually attach a name to something that will be used forever is pretty awesome."

And his students will be able to experience that feeling this semester, when Puckett asks them to propose names for other celestial objects he has discovered.

"The discoverer is allowed to suggest a name," he said in the release, "but you can't name it after your pet, an active political figure or yourself."

Mark Rice, 706-576-6272. Follow him on Twitter@MarkRiceLE.

This story was originally published September 4, 2015 at 4:18 PM with the headline "Asteroid named after Columbus State astrophysicist ."