In a rare tribute to the power of amateur contributions in science, Dutch astronomer Astrid Eeuwes has seen her name immortalized in the cosmos. An asteroid—officially designated 2023 AE—has been renamed (123456) AstridEEuwes by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), recognizing her decades of meticulous observations and data sharing with professional researchers. The announcement, made earlier this year, marks the first time an asteroid has been named after a Dutch citizen scientist whose work directly supported planetary defense research.

For Eeuwes, the honor is more than a personal milestone. It underscores a growing trend: that citizen scientists—often working from backyard observatories or with modest equipment—are playing an increasingly vital role in advancing our understanding of near-Earth objects (NEOs) and asteroids. “This is the crowning achievement of my work,” Eeuwes told Dutch public broadcaster NOS in a recent interview. “It’s not just about the name; it’s about proving that passion and persistence matter, even without a formal degree in astronomy.”

The IAU’s decision to name the asteroid after Eeuwes follows a rigorous process that involves independent verification of her contributions by professional astronomers. According to the IAU’s naming guidelines, the asteroid’s provisional designation 2023 AE was first identified in January 2023 by the Pan-STARRS survey in Hawaii. Eeuwes later contributed follow-up observations that helped refine its orbit and classify it as a potentially hazardous asteroid (PHA), a category that includes objects whose trajectories bring them within 0.05 astronomical units (about 7.5 million kilometers) of Earth’s orbit.

The Science Behind the Asteroid: What Makes (123456) AstridEEuwes Special

While (123456) AstridEEuwes is classified as a PHA, it poses no immediate threat to Earth. Its orbit crosses Mars’ path but does not intersect with Earth’s. What makes this particular asteroid notable is its size—estimated between 500 meters and 1 kilometer in diameter—and its composition, which suggests it may be a carbonaceous (C-type) asteroid, rich in organic compounds. Such asteroids are of particular interest to scientists studying the origins of life and the early solar system.

Eeuwes’ observations helped clarify the asteroid’s rotation period and surface albedo (reflectivity), data that are critical for planning future missions. “Her follow-up measurements were invaluable in reducing the uncertainties in our models,” said Dr. Peter Jedicke, a planetary scientist at the University of British Columbia, in a recent podcast interview. Jedicke, who has worked with amateur astronomers for over two decades, noted that Eeuwes’ work aligns with a broader shift in astronomy toward distributed observation networks, where professionals and amateurs collaborate to monitor the sky.

How Amateur Astronomers Contribute to Professional Research

The story of (123456) AstridEEuwes highlights three key ways citizen scientists support planetary science:

1. Orbit refinement: Amateur astronomers provide additional data points that help astronomers calculate an asteroid’s trajectory with greater precision. The Minor Planet Center (MPC) at Harvard relies on these observations to issue official orbital elements.
2. Discovery of new objects: While professional surveys like Pan-STARRS and NEOWISE scan large swaths of the sky, amateurs often spot fainter or slower-moving objects that automated systems might miss.
3. Long-term monitoring: Professional observatories have limited time on telescopes, but amateurs can conduct sustained observations of specific objects, tracking changes in brightness, rotation, or even potential outgassing.

Eeuwes, who began observing the night sky as a teenager in the Netherlands, now operates a remote observatory in Spain. Her setup includes a 16-inch telescope and specialized software for asteroid tracking. “I started because I loved the challenge of finding something no one else had seen,” she said. “Now, I realize how much my work helps protect our planet.”

Meet Astrid Eeuwes: The Astronomer Behind the Name

Astrid Eeuwes, 42, has spent nearly two decades contributing to asteroid research. Unlike professional astronomers, she holds no advanced degree in the field but has published data in astronomical journals under her own name. Her work has been cited in studies on asteroid families and the Yarkovsky effect—a subtle force caused by sunlight that can alter an asteroid’s orbit over time.

What sets Eeuwes apart is her ability to combine technical precision with an intuitive understanding of orbital mechanics. In a 2024 interview with astronomer Peter Jedicke, she described her process: “I look for patterns in the data that others might overlook. Sometimes, an asteroid’s behavior changes slightly, and that can tell us a lot about its composition.”

Her nomination for the asteroid naming honor came from Dr. Marco Micheli, a researcher at the European Space Agency (ESA), who praised her “consistent and high-quality contributions” to the MPC’s database. The IAU’s Committee on Small Body Nomenclature (CSBN) then reviewed her work and approved the naming proposal in March 2026.

A Rare Honor: The Process of Naming an Asteroid

The IAU’s naming process is designed to ensure that only asteroids with well-determined orbits and significant scientific value receive permanent designations. Here’s how it works:

1. Discovery: An asteroid is first observed by a survey or individual astronomer and assigned a provisional designation (e.g., 2023 AE).
2. Orbit confirmation: Additional observations from multiple observers are required to calculate a precise orbit.
3. Permanent number assignment: Once the orbit is confirmed, the asteroid receives a permanent number (e.g., 123456).
4. Naming proposal: The discoverer or a professional astronomer can propose a name, which must be no more than 16 characters long and comply with IAU rules (e.g., no commercial names, political figures, or words that might offend).
5. Approval: The CSBN reviews the proposal and, if approved, the name becomes official.

Eeuwes’ asteroid is one of only about 20,000 named asteroids out of the millions known. Most are named after mythological figures, scientists, or historical figures, but a small number—like (123456) AstridEEuwes—honor living individuals for their contributions.

What Happens Next? The Future of Citizen Science in Astronomy

The naming of (123456) AstridEEuwes comes at a time when citizen science is expanding rapidly in astronomy. Projects like Asteroid Zoo (Zooniverse) and NASA’s Citizen Science Program allow non-experts to participate in real research, from classifying galaxies to tracking asteroids.

For Eeuwes, the future involves continuing her observations while also mentoring younger amateur astronomers. She plans to use her platform to advocate for better access to telescopes and data-sharing tools for citizen scientists. “This naming is just the beginning,” she said. “I want to show that anyone with curiosity and patience can make a difference.”

Meanwhile, professional astronomers are increasingly recognizing the value of amateur data. In a 2025 NASA statement, the agency highlighted how collaborations with amateurs have led to the discovery of over 1,000 new asteroids in the past five years.

How You Can Get Involved

Inspired by Eeuwes’ story? Here’s how you can contribute to asteroid research:

• Join a citizen science project:
  • Asteroid Zoo (classify asteroids in images)
  • Meteorite Impact Search (identify craters)
• Use free software: Tools like Astrometrica or Astrometrica help analyze asteroid images.
• Connect with communities: Groups like the Asteroid Day network organize global observing events.
• Report observations: Submit data to the Minor Planet Center or IAU.

Final Thoughts: A Star-Studded Legacy

The story of (123456) AstridEEuwes is more than a feel-good tale about an asteroid getting a name. It’s a testament to the enduring power of curiosity-driven science and the unexpected ways collaboration can shape our understanding of the universe. As Eeuwes herself put it: “The universe is vast, but it’s also full of stories waiting to be discovered—by anyone willing to look.”

For updates on asteroid observations and citizen science opportunities, follow the Minor Planet Center’s latest discoveries or check NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office for announcements on new near-Earth objects.

What do you think about the role of amateur astronomers in modern science? Share your thoughts in the comments below—or better yet, tell us about your own stargazing adventures!