Asteroid (3497) Innanen

Named in honour of the Finnish-Canadian astronomer Kimmo Albin Innanen, P.Eng (Aeronautics, Toronto); MSc (Applied Mathematics, Waterloo); PhD (Astronomy, Toronto); Honourary Doctorate, University of Turku, Finland; Professor Emeritus, York University, Toronto; Dean Emeritus, York University, Toronto. Kim was born to Finnish parents, Albin and Fanny Innanen at Kirkland Lake, Ontario, on 1937-03-12. At an early age, his family moved to Toronto to ensure that the boys had access to a good education, of which they both took full advantage. The family was involved with the strong Finnish community and Finnish connections were kept up, Kim's fluency in the Finnish language helping a great deal. His research in classical mechanics, relating to galactic astronomy and later to planetary astronomy, brought him together with Finnish astronomers at the universities of Helsinki and Turku. His contributions to the field were recognized there by the awarding of an honourary degree from the University of Turku. His continued research with his colleagues contributed greatly to the knowledge of Trojan asteroids and near earth bodies. With Seppo Mikkola he predicted the existence of "Mars Trojans." His love and support of his family, his love of his research and teaching, of classical music and marching bands, of reading, especially history, of travelling with his family, of tennis and skiing and of cottage life with all its back-to-the-land responsibilities like wood chopping and the truly Finnish sauna, were boundless. His liberal sprinkling of his conversation with puns, often causing groans but always enjoyed; his ability to solve any household problem, be it electrical, plumbing, carpentry, or any other; and his ability to discuss and pass on all this knowledge were appreciated. Innanen passed away at Sunnybrook Hospital on 2011-08-03.

(Details taken from an obituary written by his family.)

Orbit type: Main Belt Asteroid 

Reference: MPC 18451

Author: 
Anonymous
Name: 
Innanen
Number: 
3497
Designation: 
1941 HJ
Disc. Date: 
1941-04-19
Discoverer: 
Oterma, L.
Disc. Place: 
Turku