Robert H. McNaught, born in Scotland in nineteen fifty-six, is a distinguished Scottish-Australian astronomer affiliated with the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics at the Australian National University (ANU). His contributions to the field of astronomy have been significant, particularly in the study of asteroids and comets.
Throughout his career, McNaught has collaborated with notable figures in the astronomical community, including David J. Asher from the Armagh Observatory. This partnership has led to advancements in our understanding of celestial bodies and their behaviors.
One of the highlights of McNaught's career is the naming of the inner main-belt asteroid 3173 McNaught, which was discovered by Edward Bowell at Anderson Mesa Station in nineteen eighty-one. The asteroid was named in his honor following a suggestion by David Seargent, reflecting McNaught's impact on the field.