Asteroid Named in Her Memory

The asteroid officially named 284996 Rosaparks was designated in honor of American civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks, recognizing her lasting place in world history beyond Earth itself. The celestial body is part of the main asteroid belt located between Mars and Jupiter and was named through the official astronomical naming process overseen by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Asteroid 284996 Rosaparks was discovered on 08/09/2004 by astronomers associated with the Catalina Sky Survey in Arizona, United States, a project focused on identifying and tracking near-Earth objects and minor planets. After its orbit was confirmed and the object received a permanent numerical designation, the asteroid was later formally named “Rosaparks” to commemorate the woman whose refusal to surrender her bus seat in Montgomery, Alabama, on 01/12/1955 became one of the defining acts of the American Civil Rights Movement. The naming followed a long-standing tradition within astronomy in which asteroids are named after influential scientists, artists, political leaders, historical figures, and cultural icons. The official citation connected to the asteroid recognized Rosa Parks for her role in advancing civil rights and racial equality in the United States. Parks spent decades advocating for voting rights, desegregation, social justice, and youth education following the Montgomery bus boycott. Astronomical naming records list 284996 Rosaparks as a minor planet orbiting the Sun within the central region of the asteroid belt. While invisible to the naked eye, the asteroid became part of a broader international tradition of honoring globally recognized historical figures through scientific nomenclature. The recognition placed Rosa Parks among a select group of individuals commemorated within the catalog of officially named celestial objects. Why This Moment Matters : The naming of asteroid 284996 Rosaparks reflected how Rosa Parks’s influence extended beyond politics and civil rights into scientific and cultural commemoration. Assigning her name to a celestial object symbolized the global and enduring recognition of her contributions to human rights history.