Star Gayzing : Out Of This World VI

Continuing my series on asteroids named after lgbt people we reach those asteroids discovered between 1990 and 1994. As before I’ve quoted from the original citations and added extra information were necessary. The numbers before the names are the asteroids’ official number.

(7015) Schopenhauer           Discovered 16 Aug. 1990. Name published 22 Feb 1997. “Named for the celebrated German philosopher of pessimism, Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)…His main work was ‘The World as Will and Idea’ (1819), wherein he develops the fundamental idea that ‘the world is my representation’. The world is only comprehensible with the aid of the constructs of man’s intellect—space, time and causality.”

(9342) Carygrant       Discovered 6 Aug 1991. Name published 20 Nov 2002. “Cary Grant (Archibald Leach, 1904—1986), born in Bristol, England, was much appreciated in the movie ‘To Catch a Thief’ (1955)...”. There is a lot of speculation about his sexuality, and his relationship with Gary Cooper in particular.

(11061) Lagerlöf        Discovered 10 Sept. 1991. Name published 24 Jan. 2000. “Swedish novelist Selma Lagerlöf (1858-1940) wrote beautiful stories, using popular tales of her Vaermlandian homeland... Awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1909, she was the first female member of the Swedish Academy.”

(79144) Cervantes Discovered 2 Feb. 1992. Name published 18 Sept. 2005. “Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616) was a Spanish novelist best known for ‘Don Quijote’ (1605). In his eight comic sketches ‘Entremeses’, he introduced elements from the novel, creating clear pictures of the everyday life of his time...” Cervantes wrote about the joys of boy love in northern Africa.

(7020) Yourcenar      Discovered 4 Apr. 1992. Name published 27 Sept 1996. “Named in memory of the French-Belgian-American writer Marguerite Yourcenar (1903-1987). Well known for her novels, essays and short stories, she also did translational work. In the historical novel “Mémoires d’Hadrien” (1951), she explored the world and thoughts of the fascinating 2nd-century Roman emperor… In 1980 she became the first woman writer to be elected to the prestigious French Academy.”

(39557) Gielgud         Discovered 2 May 1992. Name published 9 Nov. 2006. “Renowned for his portrayal of Hamlet in 1936, British actor John Gielgud (1904-2000) later played all the major Shakespearean roles. Also known for his more popular performances, he won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar and a Tony, these last two awards for Best Supporting Actor in ‘Arthur’ (1981) and for directing ‘Hamlet’ (1961).”

(22341) Francispoulenc        Discovered 8 Aug. 1992. Name published 22 July 2013. “French composer Francis Poulenc (1899–1963) put to music poetry from the avant-garde poets Apollinaire, Eluard and Aragon. His most popular song is ‘Les Chemins de l’Amour’ (1940). Poulenc’s religious devotion led to compositions such as ‘Sabat Mater’ (1950) and ‘Dialogues des Carmelites’ (1953).”

(8382) Mann               Discovered 23 Sept. 1992. Name published 10 June 1998. “Named in memory of Heinrich (1871-1950) and Thomas Mann (1875-1955), born in Lübeck, both prominent German writers and social critics. In 1930, Heinrich became director of the section ‘Art of Creative Writing’ of the Prussian Academy of Sciences. Thomas received the 1929 Nobel Prize for literature. After emigrating in 1933, they later settled in the United States.”

(11298) Gide  Discovered 2 Sept. 1992. Name published 20 Mar. 2000. “André Gide (1869-1951), the French writer, humanist and moralist, is well-known for his novel ‘Les Faux-Monnayeurs’ (1926). Gide’s lifelong emphasis was on the self-aware and sincere individual as the touchstone of both collective and individual morality. In 1947 he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature.”

(6871) Verlaine          Discovered 23 Jan. 1993. Name published 3 May 1996. “Named in memory of the well-known French poet-symbolist Paul Verlaine (1844-1896)… In his early work he declared himself as doomed, a “poète maudit”, torn between a mystic search for pureness and demonic sensuality. Alcohol ruined his health and mind, during a libertine and bohemian existence with his friend, the poet Arthur Rimbaud.”

(27792) Fridakahlo                Discovered 20 Feb. 1993. Name published 26 Sept. 2007. “Frida Kahlo (1907-1954) was a Mexican painter who depicted the indigenous culture of her country in a colourful realistic, symbolistic and surrealistic way.”

(9617) Grahamchapman       Discovered 17 Mar. 1993. Name published 20 Mar. 2000. “Graham Chapman (1941-1989) was a member of ‘Monty Python's Flying Circus’, the internationally popular British television series of the 1970s known for its pioneering irreverent comedy.” All of the other members of the Monty Python team have asteroids named after them, as does Monty Python itself (no. 13681).

(7307) Takei               Discovered 13 Apr. 1994. Name published 26 Sept. 2007. “George Takei (b.1937) is an actor best known for his role as Mr. Sulu in the original ‘Star Trek’ television series. He also has a lengthy record of public service through his involvement with organizations such as the Japanese American Citizens League and the Human Rights Campaign”

ASTEROID ALLIES

Asteroids that are not named after lgbt people but have lgbt links.

(5405) Neverland       Discovered 11 Apr. 1991. Name published 1 Sept 1993. “Named after the world famous play ‘Peter Pan’, written by Sir James M. Barrie (1860—1937) and later adapted into an animated film by Walt Disney. Never Land is a fantastic island floating among the stars, where Peter Pan, Tinker Bell and many others dwell...” J. M. Barrie was particularly fond of (and attracted to) the Llewellyn-Davies children. One of them, Michael, was the role model for Peter Pan. Michael died aged 21 in a suicide pact with his boyfriend.