International Astronomical Union Named Asteroid Alyankovic
The asteroid, previously known as 1981 EC26, honors the contributions of musician Weird Al Yankovic.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Space
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The International Astronomical Union has officially named an asteroid Alyankovic in recognition of the musician's contributions to the arts. Planetary scientist Allison McGraw presented a plaque to commemorate the honor on September 20, 2026.
Why it matters
The naming process reflects the International Astronomical Union's practice of recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts and sciences. This specific designation highlights the intersection of cultural influence and astronomical discovery.
Formally cataloged as 14331, the asteroid orbits in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter with an orbital period of four years. It features an absolute magnitude of 16, making it significantly dimmer than the 5 or 6 magnitude scale of visible stars.
The players
Weird Al Yankovic
He is a musician and satirist recognized by the International Astronomical Union for his contributions to the arts.
Allison McGraw
She is a planetary scientist who led the effort to nominate the asteroid for its new name.
International Astronomical Union
This global organization of professional astronomers is responsible for the nomenclature of celestial objects.
The details
Discovered in 1981, the asteroid was proposed for naming by a team of planetary scientists including Allison McGraw. The International Astronomical Union maintains rigorous, multi-page requirements for naming celestial bodies to ensure clarity and appropriateness.
Timeline
The asteroid was first discovered in 1981.
Allison McGraw presented the commemorative plaque to Yankovic on September 20, 2026.
The Big Picture
This naming reflects the International Astronomical Union working group protocols for commemorating figures who influence global culture. It validates the continued scientific classification of long-term main belt objects discovered during early solar system surveys.
While the asteroid itself is too faint for naked-eye observation, the naming highlights the scientific community's engagement with pop culture. Future telescope surveys may allow amateur astronomers to track the object's path through the inner solar system.
The takeaway
Astronomical naming conventions serve as a permanent record of human accomplishment in diverse fields beyond basic research. Tracking celestial objects like 14331 reminds the public that space exploration involves both physical discovery and historical context.
Further reading
For more on recent discoveries and nomenclature, visit the Space section.
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