Eric Walter Elst

Eric Walter Elst (30 November 1936 – 2 January 2022) was a Belgian astronomer at the Royal Observatory of Belgium in Uccle and a prolific discoverer of asteroids. As of 2026, the Minor Planet Center ranks him among the top 15 discoverers of minor planets with thousands of discoveries made at ESO's La Silla Observatory in northern Chile and at the Rozhen Observatory in Bulgaria during 1986–2005.

The minor planet 3936 Elst, a stony Vestian asteroid from the inner regions of the asteroid belt, roughly 6 kilometers in diameter, was named in his honour.

Discoveries

Elst is credited by the Minor Planet Center with the discovery of 3795 numbered minor planets made between 1986 and 2005.

Notable discoveries include 4486 Mithra, a near-Earth and Apollo asteroid, 7968 Elst-Pizarro, which is classified as both asteroid and comet, and more than 30 Jupiter trojans. His discoveries also include: Binary asteroids such as 4492 Debussy and 15268 Wendelinefroger Amor asteroids such as 21088 Chelyabinsk Many main-belt asteroids such as 9936 Al-Biruni (outer MBA), 12838 Adamsmith (Koronian), 13058 Alfredstevens (Vestian), 13070 Seanconnery (inner MBA), and 13963 Euphrates which orbits in a 2:1 resonance with Jupiter

In December 2017, the asteroid 13975 Beatrixpotter, discovered by Elst in 1992, was renamed in memory of the writer, artist, and naturalist.

Minor planet articles also exist for 12696 Camus, 8116 Jeanperrin, 22740 Rayleigh, 6267 Rozhen and 9951 Tyrannosaurus, among others.

List of minor planets discovered by Eric Elst Name Discovery Date Listing 3631 Sigyn 25 January 1987 3784 Chopin 31 October 1986 3860 Plovdiv 8 August 1986 3870 Mayré 13 February 1988 3903 Kliment Ohridski 20 September 1987 3910 Liszt 16 September 1988 3912 Troja 16 September 1988 3918 Brel 13 August 1988 4038 Kristina 21 August 1987 4060 Deipylos 17 December 1987 4226 Damiaan 1 September 1989 4342 Freud 21 August 1987 4344 Buxtehude 11 February 1988 4345 Rachmaninoff 11 February 1988 4380 Geyer 14 August 1988 4457 van Gogh 3 September 1989 4486 Mithra 22 September 1987 4492 Debussy 17 September 1988 4501 Eurypylos 4 February 1989 4546 Franck 2 March 1990 4609 Pizarro 13 February 1988 4628 Laplace 7 September 1986 4635 Rimbaud 21 January 1988 4636 Chile 13 February 1988 4798 Mercator 26 September 1989 Name Discovery Date Listing 4804 Pasteur 2 December 1989 4825 Ventura 11 February 1988 4893 Seitter 9 August 1986 4943 Lac d'Orient 27 July 1987 4999 MPC 2 February 1987 5002 Marnix 20 September 1987 5033 Mistral 15 August 1990 5108 Lübeck 21 August 1987 5115 Frimout 13 February 1988 5127 Bruhns 4 February 1989 5184 Cavaillé-Coll 16 August 1990 5204 Herakleitos 11 February 1988 5232 Jordaens 14 August 1988 5254 Ulysses 7 November 1986 5260 Philvéron 2 September 1989 5350 Epetersen 3 April 1989 5351 Diderot 26 September 1989 5471 Tunguska 13 August 1988 5522 De Rop 3 August 1991 5651 Traversa 14 February 1991 5778 Jurafrance 28 December 1989 5780 Lafontaine 2 March 1990 5873 Archilochos 26 September 1989 5950 Leukippos 9 August 1986 5954 Epikouros 19 August 1987 Name Discovery Date Listing 5956 d'Alembert 13 February 1988 6001 Thales 11 February 1988 6006 Anaximandros 3 April 1989 6026 Xenophanes 23 January 1993 6035 Citlaltépetl 27 July 1987 6036 Weinberg 13 February 1988 6039 Parmenides 3 September 1989 6051 Anaximenes 30 January 1992 6123 Aristoteles 19 September 1987 6129 Demokritos 4 September 1989 6143 Pythagoras 14 May 1993 6152 Empedocles 3 April 1989 6186 Zenon 11 February 1988 6189 Völk 2 March 1989 6240 Lucretius Carus 26 September 1989 6267 Rozhen 20 September 1987 6268 Versailles 22 September 1990 6294 Czerny 11 February 1988 6295 Schmoll 11 February 1988 6304 Josephus Flavius 2 April 1989 6309 Elsschot 2 March 1990 6317 Dreyfus 16 October 1990 6319 Beregovoj 19 November 1990 6404 Vanavara 6 August 1991 6437 Stroganov 28 August 1987 Name Discovery Date Listing 6480 Scarlatti 12 August 1988 6483 Nikolajvasil'ev 2 March 1990 6519 Giono 12 February 1991 6549 Skryabin 13 August 1988 6595 Munizbarreto 21 August 1987 6604 Ilias 16 August 1990 6605 Carmontelle 22 September 1990 6647 Josse 8 April 1991 6710 Apostel 3 April 1989 6777 Balakirev 26 September 1989 6780 Borodin 2 March 1990 6798 Couperin 14 May 1993 6826 Lavoisier 26 September 1989 6829 Charmawidor 18 January 1991 6836 Paranal 10 August 1994 6871 Verlaine 23 January 1993 6912 Grimm 8 April 1991 6956 Holbach 13 February 1988 6972 Helvetius 4 April 1992 6977 Jaucourt 20 July 1993 7009 Hume 21 August 1987 7010 Locke 28 August 1987 7012 Hobbes 11 February 1988 7014 Nietzsche 3 April 1989 7015 Schopenhauer 16 August 1990 Name Discovery Date Listing 7020 Yourcenar 4 April 1992 7056 Kierkegaard 26 September 1989 7062 Meslier 6 August 1991 7064 Montesquieu 26 July 1992 7079 Baghdad 5 September 1986 7082 La Serena 17 December 1987 7083 Kant 4 February 1989 7095 Lamettrie 22 September 1992 7098 Réaumur 9 October 1993 7099 Feuerbach 20 April 1996 7126 Cureau 8 April 1991 7142 Spinoza 12 August 1994 7172 Multatuli 17 February 1988 7179 Gassendi 8 April 1991 7244 Villa-Lobos 5 August 1991 7285 Seggewiss 2 March 1990 7296 Lamarck 8 August 1992 7343 Ockeghem 4 April 1992 7346 Boulanger 20 February 1993 7349 Ernestmaes 18 August 1993 7399 Somme 29 January 1987 7400 Lenau 21 August 1987 7401 Toynbee 21 August 1987 7412 Linnaeus 22 September 1990 7416 Linnankoski 16 November 1990 Name Discovery Date Listing 7420 Buffon 4 September 1991 7425 Lessing 2 September 1992 7478 Hasse 20 July 1993 7537 Solvay 17 April 1996 7578 Georgböhm 22 September 1990 7587 Weckmann 2 February 1992 7647 Etrépigny 26 September 1989 7649 Bougainville 22 September 1990 7651 Villeneuve 15 November 1990 7661 Reincken 10 August 1994 7755 Haute-Provence 28 December 1989 7763 Crabeels 16 October 1990 7815 Dolon 21 August 1987 7871 Tunder 22 September 1990 7881 Schieferdecker 2 September 1992 7902 Hanff 18 April 1996 7903 Albinoni 20 April 1996 7933 Magritte 3 April 1989 7934 Sinatra 26 September 1989 7947 Toland 30 January 1992 7960 Condorcet 10 August 1994 7968 Elst-Pizarro 14 July 1996 8003 Kelvin 1 September 1987 8010 Böhnhardt 3 April 1989 8039 Grandprism 15 September 1993 Name Discovery Date Listing 8096 Emilezola 20 July 1993 8116 Jeanperrin 17 April 1996 8154 Stahl 15 February 1988 8164 Andreasdoppler 16 October 1990 8165 Gnädig 21 November 1990 8169 Mirabeau 2 August 1991 8175 Boerhaave 2 November 1991 8190 Bouguer 20 July 1993 8191 Mersenne 20 July 1993 8203 Jogolehmann 7 February 1994 8205 Van Dijck 10 August 1994 8221 La Condamine 14 July 1996 8275 Inca 11 November 1990 8277 Machu-Picchu 8 April 1991 8279 Cuzco 6 August 1991 8291 Bingham 2 September 1992 8297 Gérardfaure 18 August 1993 8298 Loubna 22 September 1993 8299 Téaleoni 9 October 1993 8308 Julie-Mélissa 17 April 1996 8345 Ulmerspatz 22 January 1987 8353 Megryan 3 April 1989 1 September 1989 8370 Vanlindt 4 September 1991 8386 Vanvinckenroye 27 January 1993 Name Discovery Date Listing 8395 Rembaut 9 October 1993 8488 d'Argens 26 September 1989 8489 Boulder 7 October 1989 8491 Joelle-gilles 28 December 1989 8521 Boulainvilliers 4 April 1992 8523 Bouillabaisse 8 August 1992 8524 Paoloruffini 2 September 1992 8525 Nielsabel 2 September 1992 8541 Schalkenmehren 9 October 1993 8550 Hesiodos 12 August 1994 8643 Quercus 16 September 1988 8644 Betulapendula 16 September 1988 8647 Populus 2 September 1989 8648 Salix 2 September 1989 8649 Juglans 26 September 1989 8651 Alineraynal 29 December 1989 8652 Acacia 2 March 1990 8656 Cupressus 16 August 1990 8657 Cedrus 16 August 1990 8665 Daun-Eifel 8 April 1991 8672 Morse 6 August 1991 8676 Lully 2 February 1992 8685 Fauré 4 April 1992 8686 Akenside 26 July 1992 8687 Caussols 8 August 1992 Name Discovery Date Listing 8688 Delaunay 8 August 1992 8700 Gevaert 14 May 1993 8743 Kèneke 1 March 1998 8826 Corneville 13 August 1988 8832 Altenrath 2 March 1989 8833 Acer 3 September 1989 8834 Anacardium 26 September 1989 8835 Annona 26 September 1989 8836 Aquifolium 26 September 1989 8837 London 7 October 1989 8849 Brighton 15 November 1990 8850 Bignonia 15 November 1990 8852 Buxus 8 April 1991 8856 Celastrus 6 June 1991 8857 Cercidiphyllum 6 August 1991 8858 Cornus 6 August 1991 8872 Ebenum 4 April 1992 8886 Elaeagnus 9 March 1994 8888 Tartaglia 8 July 1994 8890 Montaigne 10 August 1994 9019 Eucommia 28 August 1987 9020 Eucryphia 19 September 1987 9021 Fagus 14 February 1988 9040 Flacourtia 18 January 1991 9053 Hamamelis 2 November 1991 Name Discovery Date Listing 9054 Hippocastanum 30 December 1991 9059 Dumas 8 August 1992 9071 Coudenberghe 19 July 1993 9079 Gesner 10 August 1994 9130 Galois 25 April 1998 9161 Beaufort 26 January 1987 9171 Carolyndiane 4 April 1989 9184 Vasilij 2 August 1991 9194 Ananoff 26 July 1992 9203 Myrtus 9 October 1993 9205 Eddywally 10 August 1994 9239 van Riebeeck 3 May 1997 9242 Olea 6 February 1998 9246 Niemeyer 25 April 1998 9306 Pittosporum 2 February 1987 9309 Platanus 20 September 1987 9313 Protea 13 February 1988 9316 Rhamnus 12 August 1988 9325 Stonehenge 3 April 1989 9326 Ruta 26 September 1989 9327 Duerbeck 26 September 1989 9329 Nikolaimedtner 2 March 1990 9331 Fannyhensel 16 August 1990 9334 Moesta 16 October 1990 9339 Kimnovak 8 April 1991 Name Discovery Date Listing 9340 Williamholden 6 June 1991 9341 Gracekelly 2 August 1991 9342 Carygrant 6 August 1991 9346 Fernandel 4 September 1991 9356 Elineke 30 December 1991 9364 Clusius 23 April 1992 9365 Chinesewilson 2 September 1992 9376 Thionville 20 July 1993 9377 Metz 15 August 1993 9378 Nancy-Lorraine 18 August 1993 9379 Dijon 18 August 1993 9380 Mâcon 17 August 1993 9381 Lyon 15 September 1993 9383 Montélimar 9 October 1993 9384 Aransio 9 October 1993 9385 Avignon 9 October 1993 9389 Condillac 9 March 1994 9392 Cavaillon 10 August 1994 9393 Apta 10 August 1994 9394 Manosque 10 August 1994 9395 Saint Michel 10 August 1994 9430 Erichthonios 17 April 1996 9446 Cicero 3 May 1997 9447 Julesbordet 3 May 1997 9452 Rogerpeeters 27 February 1998 Name Discovery Date Listing 9468 Brewer 1 June 1998 9470 Jussieu 26 July 1998 9471 Ostend 26 July 1998 9472 Bruges 26 July 1998 9473 Ghent 26 July 1998 9561 van Eyck 19 August 1987 9562 Memling 1 September 1987 9569 Quintenmatsijs 11 February 1988 9576 van der Weyden 4 February 1989 9578 Klyazma 3 April 1989 9579 Passchendaele 3 April 1989 9587 Bonpland 16 October 1990 9588 Quesnay 18 November 1990 9589 Deridder 21 November 1990 9592 Clairaut 8 April 1991 9604 Bellevanzuylen 30 December 1991 9611 Anouck 2 September 1992 9614 Cuvier 27 January 1993 9615 Hemerijckx 23 January 1993 9626 Stanley 14 May 1993 9629 Servet 15 August 1993 9630 Castellion 15 August 1993 9631 Hubertreeves 17 September 1993 9633 Cotur 20 October 1993 9638 Fuchs 10 August 1994 Name Discovery Date Listing 9639 Scherer 10 August 1994 9640 Lippens 12 August 1994 9641 Demazière 12 August 1994 9663 Zwin 15 April 1996 9664 Brueghel 17 April 1996 9748 van Ostaijen 4 February 1989 9749 Van den Eijnde 3 April 1989 9757 Felixdejager 8 April 1991 9774 Annjudge 12 July 1993 9775 Joeferguson 19 July 1993 9778 Isabelallende 12 August 1994 9795 Deprez 15 April 1996 9797 Raes 18 April 1996 9812 Danco 18 September 1998 9839 Crabbegat 11 February 1988 9859 Van Lierde 3 August 1991 9860 Archaeopteryx 6 August 1991 9879 Mammuthus 12 August 1994 9880 Stegosaurus 12 August 1994 9936 Al-Biruni 8 August 1986 9937 Triceratops 17 February 1988 9941 Iguanodon 4 February 1989 9949 Brontosaurus 22 September 1990 9951 Tyrannosaurus 15 November 1990 9954 Brachiosaurus 8 April 1991