Several space objects and features have been named after Thai people or things in Thailand. These include planetary features on Mars and Venus, minor planets, and exoplanets.
Stars and exoplanets
As of February 2024, four planets orbiting three different stars have IAU-approved Thai formal names, which they received on three NameExoWorlds campaigns Star Planet Distance Named after Chalawan(47 UMa) Taphao Thong(47 UMa b) 45.3 ly Characters of the folktale Krai Thong Taphao Kaew(47 UMa c) Chaophraya(WASP-50) Maeping(WASP-50b) 610 ly Chao Phraya River and its tributary the Mae Ping Kaewkosin(GJ 3470) Phailinsiam(GJ 3470 b) 96 ly Precious stones in the Thai language
Planetary features As of February 2024, there are 11 geological features with IAU-approved Thai names, which are located on Venus and Mars
Venus
Feature Type Coordinates Named after Ref Dhorani Corona Phra Mae Thorani, the Thai earth goddess Phra Naret Corona King Naresuan, although the IAU refers to a goddess of fertility
Mars
Feature Type Coordinates Named after Ref Chatturat Crater Chatturat District, Chaiyaphum l Dao Vallis Dao, the Thai word for "star" or "planet" Kantang Crater Kantang District, Trang Nan Crater Nan Province Pai Crater Pai District, Mae Hong Son Phon Crater Phon District, Khon Kaen Tak Crater Tak Province Thom Crater Na Thom District, Nakhon Phanom (unclear?) Yala Crater Yala Province
Asteroids
As of February 2024, there are 19 asteroids named after Thai people and places, all of which (except Kridsadaporn) are located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter
|-bgcolor=#fefefe | 6125 Singto || 1989 CN || Singto Pukahuta (1915–2007) was a prominent Thai astronomy educator and author. He was a founder and Director of the Bangkok Planetarium, and president of the Thai Astronomical Society. One of his books, Star Tales, was included in the List of 100 Good Books that Thai Children and Young Adults Should Read ||
|- bgcolor=#FA8072 | 7604 Kridsadaporn || || Kridsadaporn "San" Ritsmitchai (1964–2004) was born in Songhkla, Thailand. She and her husband Martin Callaway both lived and worked at Siding Spring Observatory. San is remembered in Coonabarabran for her caring nature and community work. She died in a car accident. ||
|- bgcolor=#E9E9E9 | 13957 NARIT || || The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (NARIT) was established in 2004 to commemorate the life and work of King Mongkut the "Father of Thai Science" ||
|-id=004 bgcolor=#fefefe | 21464 Chinaroonchai || || Tanongsak Chinaroonchai, Thai finalist in the 2006 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) † ||
|-id=005 bgcolor=#d6d6d6 | 21540 Itthipanyanan || || Suksun Itthipanyanan, Thai finalist in the 2006 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) † ||
|-id=006 bgcolor=#fefefe | 21632 Suwanasri || || Krongrath Suwanasri, Thai finalist in the 2006 Intel ISEF ||
|-id=007 bgcolor=#E9E9E9 | 23308 Niyomsatian || || Korawich Niyomsatian, Thai winner of the 2007 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) Award recipient ||
|-id=008 bgcolor=#fefefe | 23310 Siriwon || || Natnaree Siriwon, Thai winner of the 2007 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) Award recipient ||
|-id=009 bgcolor=#fefefe | 23313 Supokaivanich || || Nathaphon Supokaivanich, Thai winner of the 2007 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) and European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS) Award recipient ||
|-id=010 bgcolor=#fefefe | 28418 Pornwasu || || Pornwasu Pongtheerawan (born 1994) was awarded best of category and first place in the 2011 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for his environmental management team project. ||
|-id=011 bgcolor=#fefefe | 28419 Tanpitcha || || Tanpitcha Phongchaipaiboon (born 1993) was awarded best of category and first place in the 2011 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her environmental management team project. ||
|-id=012 bgcolor=#E9E9E9 | 28425 Sungkanit || || Arada Sungkanit (born 1994) was awarded best of category and first place in the 2011 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her environmental management team project. ||
|-id=013 bgcolor=#fefefe | 31938 Nattapong || || Nattapong Chueasiritaworn (born 2000) was awarded best of category award and first place in the 2015 Intel ISEF for his animal sciences team project. He also received the European Union Contest for Young Scientists Award. ||
|-id=014 bgcolor=#fefefe | 31939 Thananon || || Thananon Hiranwanichchakorn (born 1998) was awarded best of category award and first place in the 2015 Intel ISEF for his animal sciences team project. He also received the European Union Contest for Young Scientists Award. ||
|-id=015 bgcolor=#fefefe | 31940 Sutthiluk || || Sutthiluk Rakdee (born 1999) was awarded best of category award and first place in the 2015 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her animal sciences team project. ||
|-id=016 bgcolor=#fefefe | 33536 Charpugdee || || Runglawan Charpugdee (born 1998) was awarded second place in the 2016 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her animal sciences team project. She attends the Damrongratsongkroh School, Chiang Rai, Thailand. ||
|-id=017 bgcolor=#E9E9E9 | 33537 Doungnga || || Charuntorn Doungnga (born 1998) was awarded second place in the 2016 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair for her animal sciences team project. She attends the Damrongratsongkroh School, Chiang Rai, Thailand. ||
|-id=018 bgcolor=#E9E9E9 | 45692 Poshyachinda || || Dr. Saran Poshyachinda (born 1964) is the executive director of NARIT. Encouraging public interest in astronomy, he was crucial in the construction of the Thai National Observatory, regional observatories for the public throughout Thailand and a 40-m radio telescope. ||
|-id=019 bgcolor=#E9E9E9 | 151834 Mongkut || || King Mongkut (or Rama IV, 1804–1868) was the monarch of Siam from 1851–1868. He embraced Western innovations and initiated the modernization of Siam, both in technology and culture, earning him the nickname "The Father of Science and Technology". ||
References Original published in
External links JPL Solar System Dynamics Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature IAU NameExoWorlds