An asteroid named Giorgio Palumbo

On 18 of May 2019, the asteroid 73529 (or 2003 OF1) has been named ‘Giorgiopalumbo’ in recognition to the astrophysicist and professor of the University of Bologna, Giorgio Palumbo (1939-2018).

This dedication to Giorgio Palumbo was requested to the commission of the International Astronomical Union by Mario Di Martino (INAF of Turin) and Giovanni Pareschi (INAF Brera, chair of the Telescope Working Group of the Athena community). Mario and Giovanni selected an asteroid of the main asteroid belt discovered on 22 July 2003 with the Campo Imperatore telescope by the astronomer Maura Tombelli, of the Montelupo Fiorentino observatory.

On page 2519 of the Minor Planet Circulars / Minor Planets And Comets of 18 May 2019, the following dedication can be read:

“Giorgio G.C. Palumbo (1939–2018) was an astrophysicist and a professor at the University of Bologna. He advised dozens of students, contributed to the birth of high energy astronomy, and fostered the growth of cosmic ray physics, thus laying the seeds of modern high energy astrophysics and astroparticle projects.”

Within the Athena community, we are very glad of this recognition to one of the key figures in the inception of XEUS and the subsequent work that led to the current Athena concept.