Commander Sulu's Rock: Asteroid Named After Star Trek's George Takei

It was announced on Tuesday that an asteroid between and Jupiter would now be known as 7307 Takei, in honor of Star Trek legend George Takei. The asteroid was discovered in 1994 by Japanese astronomers.

"It came out of the clear, blue sky — just like an asteroid," the actor responded. This astronomically inaccurate statement may make a few science geeks wince, but Trekkies should be thrilled nonetheless.

George Takei, born in 1937, is best known as Commander Hikaru Sulu from the original Star Trek series and subsequent films. Most recently, he has appeared in the television smash Heroes, introducing him to a new generation of fans.

Takei isn't the first Star Trek figure to have a minor planet named in their honor. Actress Nichelle Nichols, aka Lieutenant Uhura, has the 68410 Nichols. Also, Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry was the inspiration for the 4659 Roddenberry.

Posted by Amy Cotrell

Related Galaxy posts:

Stanley Kubrick & the Mythology of Extraterrestrial Life -A Galaxy Insight
"Great Galactic Barrier" -Star Trek Science Fiction or Fact?
“Star Trek” Teleportation: Physicists Develop a Way to “Beam Up” Atoms
Cool Star Trek Warp Drive Wrath of Khan Video Clip
NASA's Search for the Planet Vulcan

Sources:

IMDb (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001786/)
Fox News (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,299059,00.html)

Comments

[web200]

good.