The e-mail on Laurie Leshin’s computer read, “You are now immortalized in stone—well, one big stone in outer space, anyway.”

Leshin is an ASU assistant professor of geology. She had just found out that a 4.5 billion-year-old asteroid had been named “4922 Leshin” in her honor.

Leshin is one of two ASU scientists who have an asteroid namesake. The other is Carleton Moore, a professor of chemistry and geology. His asteroid is called “5046 Carletonmoore.”

“I guess the nicest thing about it is letting my grandchildren know. Of course, they may get into trouble if a teacher at their elementary school doesn’t believe them,” laughs Moore.

Both Moore and Leshin are world leaders in the study of meteorites. Meteorites are pieces of asteroids that have fallen to Earth. Meteorite studies provide scientists with some of the best clues about the origin and evolution of asteroids.

“I’m still a little stunned,” says Leshin, calling the whole experience “wacky.” But she’s pleased with the decision to have a big space rock labeled with her name.

“To me, having an asteroid named after me is exciting. I’ve always wanted to go into space, and I am not sure now that I will ever get that opportunity. It is nice to know that some part of me is in space, even if it is just an asteroid with my name,” she says.—Lynette Summerill

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