UMass Lowell’s spacefront real estate
Artist’s rendition of UML’s latest wind- errr, space fall.
The University of Massachusetts Lowell is now officially an out of this world school. In August the International Astronomical Union (IAU) titled an asteroid “7806 Umasslowell.” The proposal for the asteroid’s name came from UML’s own Science and Technology Writer, Edwin L. Aguirre. Aguirre was the former Associate Editor for 12 years at Sky & Telescope, an international monthly astronomy magazine based in Cambridge. Imelda B. Joson, his wife, was the magazine’s photo editor and is now establishing her own stock photography company while still freelancing as a science journalist and digital imager.
The University’s Center for Atmospheric Research has played an important role in the world of space exploration by supplying important information to Boeing, NASA’s main contractor for the International Space Station. The Center has also made discoveries on how “killer electrons” are generated in space following a geomagnetic storm and has collaborated with NASA and other institutions on the study of Earth’s magnetosphere and radiation belts. Most recently, the Center was honored by NASA for its role in designing and building a radio-sounding instrument aboard the space agency’s highly successful IMAGE mission.
“I came to know many of the researchers, faculty, staff, and students,” said Aguirre. “[I was] interacting with them on a regular basis and appreciating all the wonderful work that they are doing.”
“When he comes home at night, Edwin would always discuss over dinner the interesting people he had met at UMass Lowell and how impressed he was with the diversity and scope of research being done on the campus,” said Joson.
Space research is not the only department the University has excelled in scientifically. Nanotechnology is an ever-growing field and one that UMass Lowell has greatly pioneered in. Life sciences, math and science learning, and radar imaging have also been highly successful.
“While UMass Lowell doesn’t have the same name recognition as Harvard or MIT or have the same endowment as other Ivy League schools, the University is able to accomplish so much and excel in its own right,” said Aguirre. With the number of great accomplishments the University has made, it seemed only fitting that it should get the recognition it deserves.
However, the naming is not just for the school itself but also for the teachers and students.
“It’s sad that scientists and teachers, whose contributions to society have made tremendous impact on our lives, are oftentimes not given the recognition they deserve,” said Joson. “For us, they are the real heroes and role models.” Aguirre and his wife decided that naming an asteroid after the school would be a distinguishable and appropriate honor.
The asteroid itself was discovered in 1971 by Czech astronomer Lubos Kohoutek at Hamburg Observatory in Germany where it was given the provisional designation 1971 UM. Typically an asteroid is named after its discoverer, but exceptions are made. Aguirre and his wife presented this proposal to the IAU’s Committee on Small Body Nomenclature. No matter what name is being proposed the Committee must vote unanimously in order for that name to be accepted. The slightest objection and the name is rejected. For the asteroid to be named “Umasslowell” indeed shows the University’s prestige.
“UMass Lowell has a long and distinguished reputation as a leading institution of higher learning in the Merrimack region, providing quality, affordable education to thousands of students,” said Aguirre. Although word of the asteroid has not reached the ears of the entire student body as of yet, it is slowly but surely making its rounds.
“It is a great example of UMass Lowell’s importance in the scientific community,” said Freshman Engineering major Bernard Trubowitz.
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