by In Trieste
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) approved the move to name an asteroid after Italy’s Nobel Prize winner Giorgio Parisi thanks to a proposal from the CCAF astronomy club in Farra d’Isonzo, a town in Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
The newly-christened Parisi Asteroid (15803) was discovered on 7 February 1994.
“Never in my life would I have imagined having an asteroid with my name on it” – said Giorgio Parisi – “I will consider it a constant reminder of the commitment necessary to consolidate scientific culture in our country”.
Last October the 73-year-old Parisi – together with scientists Klaus Hasselmann and Syukuro Manabe – won the Nobel Physics Prize for climate models and the understanding of physical systems.
Parisi gave a talk at ICTP on 22 October, 2021 right after receiving the Nobel Prize.
