C. Michelle Olmstead facts for kids
C. Michelle Olmstead, born on May 21, 1969, is an American astronomer and computer scientist. She is famous for discovering many asteroids and a comet.
Early Life and Learning
C. Michelle Olmstead went to Northern Arizona University to study physics and astronomy from 1989 to 1993. While she was there, she was a special student supported by NASA. She took part in projects that measured the positions and movements of asteroids, which is called astrometry. She also used information from older sky surveys to help with her measurements.
Discoveries and Career
The Minor Planet Center officially credits C. Michelle Olmstead with finding 46 asteroids between 1977 and 1990. This is a big achievement!
In 1990, she worked with another astronomer, Henry E. Holt, and together they discovered a periodic comet named 127P/Holt-Olmstead. A periodic comet is one that orbits the Sun regularly and returns to be seen from Earth every few years. This comet was named after both of them.
An asteroid called 3287 Olmstead was named in her honor. This asteroid was found by astronomer Schelte J. Bus in 1981. It's a special type of asteroid known as a Mars-crosser, meaning its path around the Sun crosses the orbit of Mars.
One of the asteroids she discovered, (5633) 1978 UL7, was officially found at Palomar Observatory in 1978. It was likely first seen on special photos taken by Tom Gehrels.
See also
In Spanish: C. Michelle Olmstead para niños
