Chiayi City’s Lantan Elementary School was on Saturday presented with a plaque reading “Lantan 300150,” in honor of a dwarf planet named after the school.
Lantan 300150 was discovered this year by National Central University’s Lulin Observatory and named in recognition of the school’s contributions to astronomy education.
It is the first dwarf planet to be named after an elementary school. The name was recognized on May 14 by the International Astronomical Union’s Small Bodies Nomenclature working group.
Photo: Ting Wei-chieh, Taipei Times
The plaque was presented by university president Chou Ching-yang (周景揚) to Chiayi Mayor Huang Min-hui (黃敏惠), who accepted it on behalf of the school at an event marking the 48th anniversary of its founding.
Huang said that Lantan Elementary School is renowned for its astronomy curricula, through which it encourages children to utilize their curiosity and imagination.
“We hope that astronomy education for children will continue to flourish, just as the dwarf planet named after the school endures in space,” she said.
Lantan 300150 is assumed to complete its orbit of the sun about every five years, Chou said.
The Lulin Observatory has discovered more than 800 minor planets since 2002, of which 40 have been named, he said.
The university looks forward to further collaboration with the school to deepen astronomy education and to kindle students’ passion for the subject, Chou said.
Chiayi City Astronomy Association chairwoman Chuang Ming-chuan (莊明娟) said that Lantan Elementary School has made substantial efforts in promoting astronomy in its curricula over the past three decades.
Nearly 200 volunteers take about 6,000 children to the association to learn about astronomy each year, and these efforts have been successful as interest in astronomy continues to rise, she said.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
Taiwan Travelogue (臺灣漫遊錄), which earlier this week became the first Taiwanese novel to win the International Booker Prize, is to be adapted into a television series through a Taiwan-Japan coproduction, producer Chang Chen-yu (張辰漁) said yesterday. Chang, a producer at World Softest Production Film Co, wrote on Facebook that the company had been searching for projects with international appeal that retain a strong Taiwanese identity after colleagues and Japanese partners strongly recommended the novel. After reading the book, Chang said he immediately decided to pursue the screen rights. “A great story has the power to transcend time and borders, and connect countless people,”
RSS