What a day! On International Asteroid Day last June 30, Nadine Antonette Obafial, a robotics engineering student from Ateneo de Davao University, had an asteroid named after her as an acknowledgement of her contribution to science and technology. The asteroid is now named 34044 OBAFIAL.
Working with a team, Obalfial’s science project demonstrated the use of acacia bark extract as an effective organic insecticide against an adult black rice bug. The plant science project won second place at the International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) 2017 in Los Angeles, California, USA.
An infestation of the black rice bug (locally called “itim na atangya”) can destroy entire crops.
The Ateneo de Davao University, where Obafial is a senior, lauds the project as an “exceptional science investigatory project that significantly contributed to the country’s scientific development.”
34044 OBAFIAL was first discovered in the year 2000 on the galaxy’s main belt.
The science community has a tradition of naming asteroids after individuals who have contributed greatly to scientific knowledge. According to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), apart from Obafial’s namesake, there are 21 asteroids named after scientists, students, and historical figures.
International Asteroid Day is celebrated on June 30 of each year to raise awareness about the hazards of asteroids as well as to educate the public on what to do about the threat of impact.
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