Michel Ory

Michel Ory
Born	(1966-04-18) 18 April 1966 (age 58) Develier, Switzerland
Nationality	Swiss
Occupation(s)	amateur astronomer, teacher of physics at the cantonal school Porrentruy
Known for	discovering minor planets and the periodic comet 304P/Ory

Michel Ory (born 18 April 1966) is a Swiss amateur astronomer and a prolific discoverer of minor planets and comets.^[1]

Biography

Ory was born in Develier, in the district of Delémont in the canton of Jura in Switzerland.^[2] He attended school in Delémont, and at the cantonal school in Porrentruy,^[3] then studied at the University of Geneva, graduating in physics in 1990.^[2] He trained as a scientific journalist at Cedos SA in Carouge, qualifying in 1992, then undertook teacher training at the Institut pédagogique in Porrentruy, qualifying as a secondary school teacher in 1994, then becoming a physics teacher at the cantonal school in Porrentruy,^[2] a position which he continues to hold in 2012.^[4] Ory is married and has two children.^[2]

A keen amateur astronomer, he joined the Jura Astronomical Society in 1990 and between 1993 and 1998 he was one of the seven member-builders of the Jura Astronomical Observatory.^[2]

Awards

He was one of five winners of the 2009 Edgar Wilson Award^[5] for his discovery on 27 August 2008 of 304P/Ory (P/2008 Q2 Ory), a periodic comet of the Jupiter family,^[6] using a 24-inch f/3.9 reflector^[7] at the Jura Observatory in Switzerland.^[2]

In 2018, he was awarded a Gene Shoemaker NEO Grant which will improve the robotic survey he conducts in collaboration with Claudine Rinner at the Oukaïmeden Observatory (J43) in Morocco.^[8] He is a teacher of physics at the cantonal school in Porrentruy, Switzerland.^[2] The main-belt asteroid 67979 Michelory was named in his honor.^[9]

In 2020, he and Claudine Rinner jointly received the Dorothea Klumpke - Isaac Roberts prize from the Société astronomique de France.^[10]

Discoveries

Minor planets discovered: 210 ^[1]

see § List of discovered minor planets

See also: Category:Discoveries by Michel Ory

During 2000–2010, Michel Ory has made a large number of discoveries of different astronomical objects at several observatory sites.^[2] As per 2016, he is credited by the Minor Planet Center with the discovery of 199 numbered minor planets he made during 2001–2010.^[1]

At the Jura Observatory, located in Vicques, Switzerland, he made his most famous discovery, 304P/Ory, a periodic comet of the Jupiter family,^[11] and also discovered over 234 asteroids (including unnumbered bodies) and two supernovae.^[2] Ory also made discoveries at two other observatory sites in the U.S., namely at Tenagra II Observatory (926), Arizona, and at Sierra Stars Observatory (G68), California, from where he discovered another 11 and 2 asteroids, respectively.^[2]

Comet 304P/Ory

It was on the nights of 26–27 and 27–28 August 2008 that Ory discovered what he thought was a near-Earth asteroid,^[12] which he reported to the Minor Planet Center, Harvard.^[2] At around 8:08 p.m. on 28 August he received notification from the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (CBAT) that the object was in fact a periodic comet: the announcement ran, "An apparently asteroidal object discovered by Michel Ory (Delemont, Switzerland, on CCD images obtained with a 0.61-m f/3.9 reflector at Vicques; discovery observation tabulated below), which was posted on the Minor Planet Center's 'NEOCP' webpage, has been found by other CCD observers to be cometary."^[12]

The comet was named 304P/Ory (P/2008 Q2 Ory) after him, and the CBAT announcement brought congratulations from around the world.^[2] The comet orbits the sun in an elliptical orbit with a period of 5.96 years.^[13]

Ory received the Edgar Wilson Award from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory at Harvard University,^[6] and later in 2008 a square in Viques was named Place de la Comète P/2008 Q2 Ory in honour of his discovery.^[14]

List of discovered minor planets

57658 Nilrem	17 October 2001	list
68718 Safi	17 February 2002	list
84902 Porrentruy	17 October 2003	list
88906 Moutier	11 October 2001	list
95771 Lachat	9 March 2003	list
99824 Polnareff	29 June 2002	list
113415 Rauracia	30 September 2002	list
115950 Kocherpeter	18 November 2003	list
117736 Sherrod	4 April 2005	list
125076 Michelmayor	19 October 2001	list
126160 Fabienkuntz	4 January 2002	list
126748 Mariegerbet	16 February 2002	list
(128629) 2004 RS10	7 September 2004	list
129078 Animoo	8 November 2004	list
129137 Hippolochos	13 January 2005	list
(143577) 2003 FG2	23 March 2003	list
143622 Robertbloch	22 April 2003	list
(145456) 2005 SA5	24 September 2005	list
145559 Didiermüller	18 July 2006	list
(145565) 2006 OH10	24 July 2006	list
(152190) 2005 QZ56	29 August 2005	list
(155018) 2005 QK28	28 August 2005	list
157456 Pivatte	17 November 2004	list
162937 Prêtre	12 August 2001	list
(163380) 2002 PN86	13 August 2002	list

(167855) 2005 ET	1 March 2005	list
170162 Nicolashayek	23 March 2003	list
170906 Coluche	9 December 2004	list
170927 Dgebessire	5 January 2005	list
(171376) 2006 OM	17 July 2006	list
(173050) 2006 QU142	31 August 2006	list
173086 Nireus	8 September 2007	list
175208 Vorbourg	1 April 2005	list
175282 Benhida	1 June 2005	list
176532 Boskri	5 January 2002	list
177415 Queloz	9 February 2004	list
(177866) 2005 QL28	28 August 2005	list
179764 Myriamsarah	16 September 2002	list
180643 Cardoen	14 April 2004	list
183114 Vicques	13 September 2002	list
184508 Courroux	10 August 2005	list
187123 Schorderet	30 August 2005	list
188446 Louischevrolet	17 April 2004	list
(188506) 2004 RR1	5 September 2004	list
(191672) 2004 RT10	7 September 2004	list
197864 Florentpagny	5 September 2004	list
197870 Erkman	6 September 2004	list
(198920) 2005 UP158	30 October 2005	list
199838 Hafili	11 March 2007	list
(200058) 2008 QA4	24 August 2008	list

204702 Péquignat	19 March 2006	list
207109 Stürmenchopf	11 January 2005	list
(209675) 2005 DF1	28 February 2005	list
(210436) 2008 YZ29	29 December 2008	list
210997 Guenat	14 December 2001	list
211613 Christophelovis	25 October 2003	list
212374 Vellerat	21 April 2006	list
213770 Fignon	23 February 2003	list
214081 Balavoine	17 April 2004	list
214136 Alinghi	13 January 2005	list
214378 Kleinmann	10 June 2005	list
(214432) 2005 QA57	29 August 2005	list
218268 Pierremariepelé	20 February 2003	list
(218610) 2005 OK15	30 July 2005	list
223566 Petignat	22 March 2004	list
224027 Grégoire	10 June 2005	list
(224131) 2005 QO28	28 August 2005	list
224206 Pietchisson	21 September 2005	list
227065 Romandia	1 April 2005	list
(227147) 2005 PW5	10 August 2005	list
(227583) 2006 AU2	5 January 2006	list
(227928) 2007 GT1	6 April 2007	list
(227929) 2007 GT4	11 April 2007	list
(228057) 2008 JA20	6 May 2008	list
(229352) 2005 QB57	29 August 2005	list

(229497) 2005 VW4	6 November 2005	list
(229684) 2007 DQ11	20 February 2007	list
(229722) 2007 GE	6 April 2007	list
230155 Francksallet	26 August 2001	list
230975 Rogerfederer	10 January 2005	list
(231487) 2008 PQ3	3 August 2008	list
233488 Cosandey	16 December 2006	list
(233585) 2007 RJ18	14 September 2007	list
235027 Pommard	23 March 2003	list
(236808) 2007 RX12	11 September 2007	list
238593 Paysdegex	4 January 2005	list
238817 Titeuf	10 August 2005	list
240871 MOSS	19 February 2006	list
241364 Reneangelil	7 January 2008	list
242492 Fantomas	10 November 2004	list
242516 Lindseystirling	4 January 2005	list
242529 Hilaomar	13 January 2005	list
(246803) 2009 FB1	17 March 2009	list
248183 Peisandros	13 January 2005	list
(248748) 2006 RN	1 September 2006	list
(248951) 2006 XA4	13 December 2006	list
249302 Ajoie	26 October 2008	list
(255592) 2006 OG10	24 July 2006	list
(257156) 2008 HO37	29 April 2008	list
(257251) 2009 FG25	22 March 2009	list

259905 Vougeot	14 March 2004	list
260906 Robichon	1 September 2005	list
262705 Vosne-Romanee	14 December 2006	list
(262910) 2007 CL51	15 February 2007	list
(264021) 2009 QB2	17 August 2009	list
272209 Corsica	28 August 2005	list
275962 Chalverat	21 November 2001	list
276781 Montchaibeux	11 May 2004	list
(278211) 2007 EX38	11 March 2007	list
(278283) 2007 GO27	15 April 2007	list
(278303) 2007 HY	17 April 2007	list
280640 Ruetsch	4 January 2005	list
280642 Doubs	13 January 2005	list
(281287) 2007 RD133	15 September 2007	list
282669 Erguël	6 November 2005	list
(283073) 2008 SP81	21 September 2008	list
284945 Saint-Imier	14 March 2010	list
(289317) 2005 AE28	13 January 2005	list
(289318) 2005 AF28	13 January 2005	list
289586 Shackleton	30 March 2005	list
289587 Chantdugros	30 March 2005	list
290001 Uebersax	10 August 2005	list
(290030) 2005 QP28	28 August 2005	list
(290055) 2005 QF57	30 August 2005	list
(291422) 2006 DN14	21 February 2006	list

291847 Ladoix	19 July 2006	list
(294543) 2007 YN2	18 December 2007	list
(295474) 2008 QB18	28 August 2008	list
(296551) 2009 QY1	16 August 2009	list
(296820) 2009 WT7	18 November 2009	list
297026 Corton	7 April 2010	list
299020 Chennaoui	5 January 2005	list
(301128) 2008 WV96	28 November 2008	list
(301413) 2009 DN46	27 February 2009	list
(301552) 2009 GA3	14 April 2009	list
305254 Moron	19 December 2007	list
(305776) 2009 DE46	27 February 2009	list
309917 Sefyani	20 March 2009	list
(312014) 2007 RH18	13 September 2007	list
(312542) 2009 FC1	17 March 2009	list
(312563) 2009 HO2	18 April 2009	list
313921 Daassou	5 September 2004	list
314040 Tavannes	4 January 2005	list
(316016) 2009 FO21	22 March 2009	list
(316039) 2009 GB3	14 April 2009	list
316080 Boni	16 May 2009	list
318412 Tramelan	11 January 2005	list
318676 Bellelay	10 August 2005	list
320065 Erbaghjolu	11 March 2007	list
(321404) 2009 QP	16 August 2009	list

(321410) 2009 QD6	18 August 2009	list
(324287) 2006 DO	20 February 2006	list
(325442) 2009 QZ1	17 August 2009	list
327082 Tournesol	10 November 2004	list
327632 Ferrarini	24 July 2006	list
(328370) 2008 QY17	27 August 2008	list
329935 Prévôt	30 July 2005	list
(330380) 2006 XJ4	14 December 2006	list
331992 Chasseral	3 April 2005	list
(333607) 2007 LY	9 June 2007	list
(335725) 2007 DP11	20 February 2007	list
336108 Luberon	2 May 2008	list
336203 Sandrobuss	22 September 2008	list
(336604) 2009 UL5	18 October 2009	list
(336605) 2009 UM5	20 October 2009	list
337380 Lenormand	17 August 2001	list
339486 Raimeux	3 April 2005	list
(339635) 2005 QR28	29 August 2005	list
(345879) 2007 RW12	11 September 2007	list
(346293) 2008 PG3	4 August 2008	list
349606 Fleurance	26 October 2008	list
352860 Monflier	30 November 2008	list
(353114) 2009 FR14	20 March 2009	list
(353116) 2009 FL19	21 March 2009	list
(362176) 2009 FP21	22 March 2009	list

362238 Shisseh	19 May 2009	list
363582 Folpotat	9 February 2004	list
368588 Lazrek	8 September 2004	list
372305 Bourdeille	20 November 2008	list
375067 Hewins	6 September 2007	list
378669 Rivas	29 April 2008	list
(381433) 2008 PJ18	10 August 2008	list
(385633) 2005 QD57	29 August 2005	list
394445 Unst	11 September 2007	list
399745 Ouchaou	3 April 2005	list
(402852) 2007 RE12	9 September 2007	list
(406352) 2007 RC162	15 September 2007	list
(406737) 2008 HP2	25 April 2008	list
(414283) 2008 MW4	30 June 2008	list
418419 Lacanto	28 June 2008	list
419521 Meursault	7 May 2010	list
423205 Echezeaux	5 September 2004	list
(423207) 2004 RA8	6 September 2004	list
(423269) 2004 VX28	8 November 2004	list
(428092) 2006 QO4	18 August 2006	list
(428499) 2007 WZ3	17 November 2007	list
(435549) 2008 QZ3	24 August 2008	list
(445143) 2008 WX94	26 November 2008	list
450390 Pitchcomment	8 August 2005	list
469748 Volnay	9 August 2005	list

(469758) 2005 QQ28	28 August 2005	list
470600 Calogero	6 August 2008	list
481984 Cernunnos	20 May 2009	list
(495845) 2002 PP123	15 August 2002	list
(542180) 2013 AS29	8 January 2013	list
(542245) 2013 AP131	7 January 2013	list
(542307) 2013 BX68	10 January 2013	list
542888 Confino	10 June 2013	list
(543081) 2013 SC26	15 August 2013	list
543315 Asmakhammari	10 December 2013	list
(544892) 2014 WV475	3 July 2013	list

References

1. "Minor Planet Discoverers (by number)". Minor Planet Center. 11 July 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2018.
2. Emma Chatelain; Philippe Hebeisen (5 November 2010). "Ory, Michel (1966-)". Dictionnaire du Jura. Retrieved 20 Sep 2012.
3. "Anciens bacheliers". Lycee Cantonal Porrentruy. Retrieved 21 Sep 2012.
4. Memento 12-13 élèves (PDF), CEJEF Division Lycéenne Lycée Cantonal, 16 August 2012, p. 13, archived from the original (PDF) on 9 November 2012, retrieved 21 Sep 2012
5. Holmes, R. E. (August 2009). Green, D. W. E. (ed.). "The Edgar Wilson Award 2009". IAU Circ. 9066: 2. Bibcode:2009IAUC.9066....2H. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
6. CfA Press Room (25 August 2009). "2009 Comet Awards Announced". Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics. Retrieved 19 Sep 2012.
7. "Five Amateurs Win Comet Prize - News from Sky & Telescope - SkyandTelescope.com". skyandtelescope.com. 21 Sep 2012. Retrieved 21 Sep 2012.
8. "The 2018 Shoemaker NEO Grant Recipients". The Planetary Society. March 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
9. Schmadel, Lutz D. (2006). "(67979) Michelory [3.12, 0.03, 13.0]". Dictionary of Minor Planet Names. Springer Berlin Heidelberg. p. 226. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-34361-5_2686. ISBN 978-3-540-34361-5.
10. “Les distinctions de la Société astronomique de France”, Société astronomique de France, consulted on 6 December 2020.
11. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: 304P/Ory (2008 Q2)". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 26 August 2016.
12. Michel Ory (15 September 2008). "Une comète découverte dans le Jura – Michel Ory ou la révolution " P/2008 Q2 Ory "". Société jurassienne d'Emulation. Archived from the original on 6 January 2013. Retrieved 19 Sep 2012.
13. "La comète P/2008 Q2 (Ory)". Jura-Observatory [Observatoire astronomique jurassien]. Archived from the original on 17 September 2013. Retrieved 22 Sep 2012.
14. "La comète Ory s'est posée à Vicques". RFJ, Radio Fréquence Jura. 13 December 2008. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 22 Sep 2012.

External links

• Amateur stargazer Michel Ory spots comet, Herald Sun, 2008
• Un Jurassien rejoint le panthéon des découvreurs de comètes Archived 2018-10-01 at the Wayback Machine, Le Quotidien Jurassien, 1 September 2008
• J'ai passé plus de 550 nuits à l'observatoire Archived 2018-10-01 at the Wayback Machine, 20minutes, 1 September 2008
• Ory est de la taille de la Terre Archived 2018-10-01 at the Wayback Machine, Le Matin, 6 September 2008
• Accoucheur du ciel Archived 2018-10-01 at the Wayback Machine, Le Temps, 6 September 2008
• L'invité de la rédaction: Michel Ory Archived 2018-10-01 at the Wayback Machine, Le Quotidien Jurassien, 11 October 2008
• Portrait: Michel Ory, une comète comme un pro! Archived 2018-10-01 at the Wayback Machine, Ciel et espace de novembre 2008 (no. 426)