It’s approximately a mile and a quarter in diameter, moving at an average speed of 42,500 miles per hour, and is officially weird. An asteroid located between Mars and Jupiter has been named in honor of “Weird Al” Yankovic.
“This is perhaps the greatest honor I’ve ever received,” Yankovic said of the al-steroid. “I just hope this isn’t the asteroid that winds up destroying the earth.”
Get Weird Al Yankovic Tickets Here
Earlier this month, the International Astronomical Union approved the naming of the asteroid as (14331) Alyankovic. As to why The Weird One received the astronomical tribute instead of the usual science smartypants honoree, the official citation reads, “Generations of scientists have been inspired by his comedic musical works, including ‘It’s All About the Pentiums’ and ‘White and Nerdy.'”
Not mentioning “Slime Creatures from Outer Space” seems like an oversight, but a press release also notes “Word Crimes” and the recently unearthed Al’s Brain: A 3-D Journey Through the Human Brain as examples of how Yankvoic has long used humor to champion learning.
“For countless scientists, engineers, programmers, educators, and students, his work helped create an environment where being enthusiastic about learning was something worth celebrating,” said Dr. Allison McGraw, a NASA-affiliated planetary scientist who, along with Arizona State University School of Earth and Space Exploration professor Dr. Steve Desch, led the nomination and naming process. “His work has inspired curiosity, creativity, lifelong learning, and a sense of joy in discovering how the world works. That is precisely why we felt he belonged among the stars.”
Here are the official stats and facts about (14331) Alyankovic:
Discovery date: March 2, 1981
Discoverer: Stephen J. Bus
Discovery site: Siding Spring Observatory, Australia
Asteroid family: Massalia Family
Asteroid type: silicate, ‘S-type’
Location: Main Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter
Estimated diameter: approximately 1.5-2 km, roughly 1-1.25 miles
Orbital period (“year”): approximately 3.77 Earth years (about 1,378 days)
Semi-major axis: approximately 2.42 AU from the Sun
Estimated average orbital speed: about 19 km/s (≈ 42,500 mph)
Official naming citation published by the International Astronomical Union (IAU)
Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature (WGSBN)
Check out the official certificate given to “Weird Al” to commemorate the naming below, and then get tickets to the remaining dates on Yankovic’s “BIGGER & WEIRDER 2026 Tour” here.
Here’s a list of other incredible things “Weird Al” has done and is doing this year: He made his grand return to NPR’s Tiny Desk, he’s releasing the UHF score soundtrack on vinyl for the first time, he’s giving the film a live orchestra screening on Halloween, he’s working on the Dare to Be Stupid Broadway jukebox musical, and he teamed up with Batman and Superman.
(IAU)
