The name comes from "The Doctrine of the Mean", and a new "neutral" star has been added to the vast universe!

Author: Ding Lanhe

Review｜Liao Xi, Zou Qianyi, Zhao Jingyuan, Zhang Mi

Editor: Zhao Jingyuan

The main text of this article uses Beijing time, and the pictures use Universal Time

On December 17, 2024, the International Astronomical Union announced the WGSBN Bulletin, Volume 4, #17, adding 13 new asteroid names, including the "Zhonghe" star No. 719987 discovered and named by the Xingming Observatory.

Cover of WGSBN Bulletin, Volume 4, #17. Image source: WGSBN Bulletin, Volume 4, #17

On the evening of October 10, 2017, Liao Xi discovered an unknown asteroid in the images taken by the Half-Meter Telescope (HMT) of the Xingming Observatory. After measurement, it was reported to the International Planet Center (MPC) with the internal number XM162LX. On July 14, 2024, the asteroid finally received a permanent number - 719987. After discussing with his alma mater, Hefei No. 4 Middle School, the discoverer Liao Xi decided to name the asteroid "Zhonghe". On December 16, 2024, the name was officially announced, and there will be a "Zhonghe" star in the vast universe.

The naming announcement of the star “Zhonghe”. Image source: WGSBN Bulletin, Volume 4, #17

"Zhonghe" is taken from "The Doctrine of the Mean" in "The Book of Rites": "When joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure are not expressed, it is called Zhong; when they are expressed in moderation, it is called He. Zhong is the foundation of the world; He is the way to achieve the world. When Zhonghe is achieved, heaven and earth are in their proper places, and all things are nurtured." "Zhonghe" is the core of the doctrine of the mean, which emphasizes moderation and harmony, and advocates avoiding extremes and seeking a state of balance to achieve inner peace. "Zhonghe" is an important manifestation of personal moral cultivation. By pursuing a state of Zhonghe, people can better achieve self-improvement and improve their moral realm. "Zhonghe" is one of the cultural concepts advocated by Hefei No. 4 Middle School. The auditorium of the school is named "Zhonghe Hall", which embodies the cultural atmosphere of "harmony but difference" on campus.

Hefei No. 4 Middle School. Image source: Hefei No. 4 Middle School official website

"Zhonghe" is a main-belt asteroid with an absolute magnitude of 17.91. It takes 4.56 years to orbit the Sun, with an orbital semi-major axis of 2.7493740 AU, an eccentricity of 0.0566915, a perihelion of 2.5935079 AU, and an orbital inclination of 2.89246 degrees (the epoch of the above orbital elements is March 31, 2024).

Schematic diagram of the orbit of the "neutral" star. Image source: Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

At present, the Xingming Observatory has discovered and named 14 asteroids. Do you want to participate and experience the fun of searching for new celestial bodies? Search for group number 73444198 in QQ and join us. Xiaoxing is waiting for you here~

References

1. WGSBN Bulletin, Volume 4, #17, https://www.wgsbn-iau.org/files/Bulletins/V004/WGSBNBull_V004_017.pdf

2. (719987) Zhonghe = 2022 UZ64, IAU Minor Planet Center, https://minorplanetcenter.net/db_search/show_object?utf8=✓&object_id=719987

3. 719987 Zhonghe (2022 UZ64), JPL's Solar System Dynamics, https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html#/?sstr=719987

4. Official website of Hefei No. 4 Middle School, http://hfsdszx.com

Follow the Toutiao account/Science Popularization China/WeChat public account/Sina Weibo "Xingming Observatory" and walk across the stars with Xiaoxing to harvest romance~