An asteroid, numbered 1999AT22, has been named after Ming Antu (1692-1765), a Chinese scientist from the Mongolian ethnic group, who lived during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Ming was a well-known mathematician, measuring expert and researcher in astronomy and calendars. He was co-author of several outstanding academic works in the fields of astronomy and calendars.
The International Astronomical Union has approved an application by China to name the Ming Antu Asteroid to mark the 310th anniversary of the birth of the ancient Chinese scientist.
It is the first asteroid named after a Chinese scientist of a minority group.
(People's Daily July 13, 2002)
