Sulu's asteroid

David Pescovitz 3:00 pm Tue Oct 9, 2007

The International Astronomical Union has given asteroid 1994 GT9 the new name of 7307 Takei in honor of George Takei, the actor who played Hikaru Sulu in the original Star Trek. From the Associated Press (photo from Wikipedia):

The celestial rock, discovered by two Japanese astronomers in 1994, joins the 4659 Roddenberry (named for the show's creator, Gene Roddenberry) and the 68410 Nichols (for co-star Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Uhura). Other main-belt asteroids are already named for science fiction luminaries Robert Heinlein and Isaac Asimov…

(Mount Holyoke College astronomy professor Tom) Burbine, who also has put a number of his astronomy colleagues up for consideration, said he suggested Takei's name in part out of appreciation for his work with the Japanese American Citizens League and with leading gay rights group Human Rights Campaign. Takei, a spokesman for HRC's Coming Out Project, was cultural affairs chairman of the JACL, and he was appointed to the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission by former President Clinton.

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