Minor planet officially named after Chinese singer as 'Faye Wong Star'

The name of Asia pop diva Faye Wong has been used in a minor planet as the International Astronomical Union's Working Group on Small Body Nomenclature (WGSBN) announced that asteroid No. 34815 will be called "Faye Wong Star."

According to the official announcement released by the WGSBN, asteroid No. 34815 was discovered on September 20, 2001, by William Kwong Yu Yeung, one of the world’s most prolific asteroid hunters.

The naming rationale stated in the announcement notes that Wong is a Chinese singer-songwriter and actress. As an iconic singer, her unique voice and artistic vision have transcended boundaries, inspiring millions. In the West she is perhaps best known for starring in Wong Kar-wai's films Chungking Express (1994) and 2046 (2004).

According to media reports, in addition to naming asteroids after his own family and friends, Yeung often selects names of prominent figures from the entertainment industry, such as Brigitte Lin, Teresa Teng, Andy Lau, Leslie Cheung, and Ang Lee. He has also named two asteroids after the renowned ancient Chinese poets Li Bai and Du Fu.

The discoverer of an asteroid holds the right to name it. When an asteroid is first discovered, the Minor Planet Center (MPC) assigns it a provisional designation. Only when sufficient observational data have been collected—enough to precisely determine its orbit and predict its future positions—can the asteroid be granted a permanent number. This process typically takes several years, or even longer, said astronomy enthusiast Lin Jingming, who has participated in compiling and researching of historical Chinese astronomical records, according to the Shangguan Observer.