Michel Ory (born 18 April 1966) is a Swiss amateur astronomer and a prolific discoverer of minor planets and comets.
Biography Ory was born in Develier, in the district of Delémont in the canton of Jura in Switzerland. He attended school in Delémont, and at the cantonal school in Porrentruy, then studied at the University of Geneva, graduating in physics in 1990. He trained as a scientific journalist at Cedos SA in Carouge, qualifying in 1992, then undertook teacher training at the Institut pédagogique in Porrentruy, qualifying as a secondary school teacher in 1994, then becoming a physics teacher at the cantonal school in Porrentruy, a position which he continues to hold in 2012. Ory is married and has two children.
A keen amateur astronomer, he joined the Jura Astronomical Society in 1990 and between 1993 and 1998 he was one of the seven member-builders of the Jura Astronomical Observatory.
Awards He was one of five winners of the 2009 Edgar Wilson Award for his discovery on 27 August 2008 of 304P/Ory (P/2008 Q2 Ory), a periodic comet of the Jupiter family, using a 24-inch f/3.9 reflector at the Jura Observatory in Switzerland.
In 2018, he was awarded a Gene Shoemaker NEO Grant which will improve the robotic survey he conducts in collaboration with Claudine Rinner at the Oukaïmeden Observatory in Morocco. He is a teacher of physics at the cantonal school in Porrentruy, Switzerland. The main-belt asteroid 67979 Michelory was named in his honor.
In 2020, he and Claudine Rinner jointly received the Dorothea Klumpke - Isaac Roberts prize from the Société astronomique de France.“Les distinctions de la Société astronomique de France”, Société astronomique de France, consulted on 6 December 2020.
Discoveries + Minor planets discovered: 210 see
During 2000–2010, Michel Ory has made a large number of discoveries of different astronomical objects at several observatory sites. As per 2016, he is credited by the Minor Planet Center with the discovery of 199 numbered minor planets he made during 2001–2010.
At the Jura Observatory, located in Vicques, Switzerland, he made his most famous discovery, 304P/Ory, a periodic comet of the Jupiter family, and also discovered over 234 asteroids (including unnumbered bodies) and two supernovae. Ory also made discoveries at two other observatory sites in the U.S., namely at Tenagra II Observatory (926), Arizona, and at Sierra Stars Observatory (G68), California, from where he discovered another 11 and 2 asteroids, respectively.
Comet 304P/Ory
It was on the nights of 26–27 and 27–28 August 2008 that Ory discovered what he thought was a near-Earth asteroid, which he reported to the Minor Planet Center, Harvard. At around 8:08 p.m. on 28 August he received notification from the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (CBAT) that the object was in fact a periodic comet: the announcement ran, "An apparently asteroidal object discovered by Michel Ory (Delemont, Switzerland, on CCD images obtained with a 0.61-m f/3.9 reflector at Vicques; discovery observation tabulated below), which was posted on the Minor Planet Center's 'NEOCP' webpage, has been found by other CCD observers to be cometary."
The comet was named 304P/Ory (P/2008 Q2 Ory) after him, and the CBAT announcement brought congratulations from around the world. The comet orbits the sun in an elliptical orbit with a period of 5.96 years.
Ory received the Edgar Wilson Award from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory at Harvard University, and later in 2008 a square in Viques was named Place de la Comète P/2008 Q2 Ory in honour of his discovery.
List of discovered minor planets
42113 Jura 15 January 2001 42191 Thurmann 14 February 2001 46095 Frédérickoby 15 March 2001 57658 Nilrem 17 October 2001 68718 Safi 17 February 2002 77755 Delémont 13 August 2001 84902 Porrentruy 17 October 2003 88906 Moutier 11 October 2001 95771 Lachat 9 March 2003 99824 Polnareff 29 June 2002 113415 Rauracia 30 September 2002 115950 Kocherpeter 18 November 2003 117736 Sherrod 4 April 2005 125076 Michelmayor 19 October 2001 126160 Fabienkuntz 4 January 2002 126748 Mariegerbet 16 February 2002 7 September 2004 129078 Animoo 8 November 2004 129137 Hippolochos 13 January 2005 23 March 2003 143622 Robertbloch 22 April 2003 145456 Sab 24 September 2005 145559 Didiermüller 18 July 2006 24 July 2006 29 August 2005 28 August 2005 157456 Pivatte 17 November 2004 162937 Prêtre 12 August 2001 13 August 2002 167855 Natalinistephane 1 March 2005 170162 Nicolashayek 23 March 2003 170906 Coluche 9 December 2004 170927 Dgebessire 5 January 2005 17 July 2006 31 August 2006 173086 Nireus 8 September 2007 175208 Vorbourg 1 April 2005 175282 Benhida 1 June 2005 176532 Boskri 5 January 2002 177415 Queloz 9 February 2004 177866 Barrau 28 August 2005 (179764 Myriamsarah 16 September 2002 180643 Cardoen 14 April 2004 183114 Vicques 13 September 2002 184508 Courroux 10 August 2005 187123 Schorderet 30 August 2005 (188446 Louischevrolet 17 April 2004 188506 Roulet 5 September 2004 7 September 2004 197864 Florentpagny 5 September 2004 197870) Erkman 6 September 2004 30 October 2005 199838) Hafili 11 March 2007 24 August 2008 204702) Péquignat 19 March 2006 207109) Sturmenchopf 11 January 2005 28 February 2005 29 December 2008 210997 Guenat 14 December 2001 211613 Christophelovis 25 October 2003 212374 Vellerat 21 April 2006 213770 Fignon 23 February 2003 214081 Balavoine 17 April 2004 214136 Alinghi 13 January 2005 214378 Kleinmann 10 June 2005 214432 Belprahon 29 August 2005 218268 Pierremariepele 20 February 2003 30 July 2005 223566 Petignat 22 March 2004 224027 Grégoire 10 June 2005 28 August 2005 224206 Pietchisson 21 September 2005 227065 Romandia 1 April 2005 227147 Coggiajerome 10 August 2005 5 January 2006 227928 Ludoferriere 6 April 2007 11 April 2007 6 May 2008 29 August 2005 6 November 2005 20 February 2007 6 April 2007 230155 Francksallet 26 August 2001 230975 Rogerfederer 10 January 2005 3 August 2008 233488 Cosandey 16 December 2006 14 September 2007 235027 Pommard 23 March 2003 11 September 2007 238593 Paysdegex 4 January 2005 238817 Titeuf 10 August 2005 240871 MOSS 19 February 2006 241364 Reneangelil 7 January 2008 242492 Fantomas 10 November 2004 242516 Lindseystirling 4 January 2005 242529 Hilaomar 13 January 2005 246803 Martinezpatrick 17 March 2009 248183 Peisandros 13 January 2005 1 September 2006 13 December 2006 249302 Ajoie 26 October 2008 24 July 2006 29 April 2008 22 March 2009 259905 Vougeot 14 March 2004 260906 Robichon 1 September 2005 262705 Vosne-Romanee 14 December 2006 15 February 2007 17 August 2009 272209 Corsica 28 August 2005 275962 Chalverat 21 November 2001 276781 Montchaibeux 11 May 2004 11 March 2007 15 April 2007 17 April 2007 280640 Ruetsch 4 January 2005 280642 Doubs 13 January 2005 15 September 2007 282669 Erguël 6 November 2005 21 September 2008 284945 Saint-Imier 14 March 2010 13 January 2005 13 January 2005 289586 Shackleton 30 March 2005 289587 Chantdugros 30 March 2005 289600 Tastevin 1 April 2005 290001 Uebersax 10 August 2005 28 August 2005 30 August 2005 21 February 2006 291847 Ladoix 19 July 2006 18 December 2007 28 August 2008 16 August 2009 296820 Paju 18 November 2009 297026 Corton 7 April 2010 299020 Chennaoui 5 January 2005 301128 Frédéricpont 28 November 2008 301413 Rogerfux 27 February 2009 301552 Alimenti 14 April 2009 305254 Moron 19 December 2007 305776 Susinnogabriele 27 February 2009 309917 Sefyani 20 March 2009 13 September 2007 17 March 2009 18 April 2009 313921 Daassou 5 September 2004 314040 Tavannes 4 January 2005 22 March 2009 316039 Breizh 14 April 2009 316080 Boni 16 May 2009 318412 Tramelan 11 January 2005 318676 Bellelay 10 August 2005 320065 Erbaghjolu 11 March 2007 16 August 2009 18 August 2009 20 February 2006 17 August 2009 327082 Tournesol 10 November 2004 327632 Ferrarini 24 July 2006 27 August 2008 329935 Prévôt 30 July 2005 14 December 2006 331992 Chasseral 3 April 2005 9 June 2007 20 February 2007 336108 Luberon 2 May 2008 336203 Sandrobuss 22 September 2008 18 October 2009 20 October 2009 337380 Lenormand 17 August 2001 339486 Raimeux 3 April 2005 29 August 2005 11 September 2007 4 August 2008 349606 Fleurance 26 October 2008 352860 Monflier 30 November 2008 20 March 2009 21 March 2009 360762 FRIPON 4 January 2005 22 March 2009 362238 Shisseh 19 May 2009 363582 Folpotat 9 February 2004 368588 Lazrek 8 September 2004 372305 Bourdeille20 November 2008 375067 Hewins 6 September 2007 378669 Rivas 29 April 2008 10 August 2008 29 August 2005 394445 Unst 11 September 2007 399745 Ouchaou 3 April 2005 402852 Picardie 9 September 2007 15 September 2007 406737 Davet 25 April 2008 414283 Lecureuil 30 June 2008 418419 Lacanto 28 June 2008 419521 Meursault 7 May 2010 423205 Echezeaux 5 September 2004 6 September 2004 8 November 2004 18 August 2006 17 November 2007 24 August 2008 26 November 2008 450390 Pitchcomment 8 August 2005 469748 Volnay 9 August 2005 28 August 2005 470600 Calogero 6 August 2008 481984 Cernunnos 20 May 2009 15 August 2002 26 December 2011 15 June 2012 7 January 2013 7 January 2013 10 January 2013 542888 Confino 10 June 2013 543081 Albertducrocq 15 August 2013 543315 Asmakhammari 24 December 2013 3 July 2013 4 September 2010 3 October 2016 19 December 2011 29 February 2012 11 November 2013 552784 Jeanbrahie 6 October 2010 18 January 2012 15 October 2013 21 October 2014 9 October 2013 19 December 2012 19 December 2012 23 January 2012 10 December 2015 15 October 2013 21 December 2016 18 December 2012 3 December 2013 18 January 2012 7 January 2013 8 January 2013 12 June 2013 7 June 2013 3 July 2013 30 August 2005 589175 Romainguélat 7 April 2013 8 January 2013 28 December 2011 23 January 2012 21 February 2012 590761 Fixin 7 February 2005 591592 Carlanderson 3 December 2013 13 January 2005 600639 Gevreychambertin 21 February 2012 600665 Nuitsaintgeorges 21 February 2012 601227 Ammann 18 December 2012 10 October 2015 2 December 2013 29 January 2014 26 February 2014 30 December 2014 612916 Stirlingcolgate 7 January 2005 5 August 2008 2 January 2017 7 January 2013 20 December 2011 8 April 2013 7 January 2014 8 January 2013 30 December 2013 31 December 2013 28 January 2014 26 February 2014 2 January 2017 11 October 2010 667294 Missen 28 March 2011 28 December 2011 2 January 2012 23 January 2012 18 December 2012 8 January 2013 8 April 2013 8 April 2013 3 December 2013 6 January 2014 3 March 2014 9 June 2013 4 March 2014 3 October 2016 678198) Jeanmariferenbac 9 October 2013 678300) Herbertcouriol 29 August 2017 678471) Piermichelbergé 19 September 2017 26 February 2014 16 October 2013 10 March 2005 30 August 2014 14 January 2013 19 December 2011 27 August 2008 16 August 2009 20 December 2011 28 February 2012 14 January 2013 8 January 2013 5 June 2013 3 March 2014 21 February 2012 715542 Tafforin 15 October 2015 15 October 2015 10 October 2015 27 February 2017 3 March 2005 21 March 2009 27 August 2008 7 January 2013 8 January 2013 11 February 2013 31 December 2013 25 January 2014 10 February 2013 3 March 2016 18 December 2012 25 December 2012 19 December 2011 5 July 2013 9 August 2013 10 September 2013 2 November 2013 3 December 2013 6 December 2016 9 October 2013 11 November 2013 30 December 2013 3 December 2013 21 March 2013 28 November 2011 7 April 2013 16 April 2013 12 June 2013 4 November 2013 25 November 2013 29 December 2014 10 March 2016 19 December 2012 18 December 2012 7 January 2013 7 June 2013 18 October 2009 13 June 2013 4 March 2014 9 October 2015 4 September 2010 2 November 2013 21 September 2008 8 October 2015 15 October 2015 18 January 2012 30 August 2013 3 December 2013 26 February 2014 18 December 2015 9 November 2016 4 January 2017 28 May 2017 25 February 2014 29 October 2011 6 June 2013 8 October 2015 18 December 2015 1 January 2016
References
External links Amateur stargazer Michel Ory spots comet, Herald Sun, 2008