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Norman Gene Thomas (May 1, 1930 - May 19, 2020) was an American astronomer and discoverer of minor planets.

He worked at Lowell Observatory using the blink comparator alongside Robert Burnham, Jr., author of the famous three-volume Celestial Handbook.

He is credited by the Minor Planet Center with the discovery of 55 numbered minor planets during 1964–1989, including the Apollo asteroids 4544 Xanthus and 4581 Asclepius, as well as the Amor asteroid 3352 McAuliffe.

The main-belt asteroid 2555 Thomas, discovered by Edward Bowell at Anderson Mesa Station in 1980, was named in his honor. Naming citation was published on 8 April 1982 (M.P.C. 6835).

List of discovered minor planets

References

1. ^ "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2016.
2. "Norman Gene Thomas". Daily sun. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
3. Science News, Vol. 135, No. 18 (May 6, 1989), p. 28
4. Dealing with the Threat of an Asteroid Striking the Earth: An AIAA Position Paper Archived 2011-06-11 at the Wayback Machine at the National Space Society
5. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2007). "(2555) Thomas". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names – (2555) Thomas. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 209. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-29925-7_2556. ISBN 978-3-540-00238-3.
6. "MPC/MPO/MPS Archive". Minor Planet Center. Retrieved 15 August 2016.

External links

• Library of Congress Authorities – Thomas, N. G. (Norman Gene), 1930-, (n89615892)

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• 1930 births
• 20th-century British astronomers
• Discoverers of asteroids
• Discoveries by Norman G. Thomas
• 2020 deaths
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