Roy A. Tucker

Roy A. Tucker, born in nineteen fifty-one, is a distinguished American astronomer celebrated for his significant contributions to the field of astronomy. He is particularly renowned for his co-discovery of the near-Earth asteroid 99942 Apophis, previously designated as 2004 MN4. This remarkable achievement was accomplished in collaboration with fellow astronomers David J. Tholen and Fabrizio Bernardi from the University of Hawaiʻi.

Throughout his career, Tucker has demonstrated an exceptional talent for discovering minor planets. The Minor Planet Center recognizes him for the discovery of seven hundred and two numbered minor planets between the years nineteen ninety-six and twenty-ten, marking him as a prolific figure in this area of research.

In addition to his work with minor planets, Tucker has also made his mark in the discovery of comets. He is credited with the identification of two notable comets: 328P/LONEOS–Tucker, a Jupiter-family comet, and C/2004 Q1, which is classified as a near-parabolic comet. These discoveries further underscore his impactful presence in the astronomical community.