Meanings of minor-planet names: 30001–31000

The entry Meanings of minor-planet names: 30001–31000 is a segment of a larger reference series that documents the origins and significance of the official names assigned to numbered minor planets (asteroids) by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). This specific segment covers the asteroids whose permanent numerical designations fall within the range 30001 to 31000.

Scope and Content

• Number Range: 30001 – 31000
• Structure: For each listed minor planet, the entry typically provides:
  1. Numerical designation (e.g., 30001)
  2. Official name (e.g., Pahl), if one has been assigned
  3. Citation describing the origin of the name, which may reference individuals, places, institutions, mythological figures, or other cultural elements
  4. Reference to the Minor Planet Circular (M.P.C.) or the Dictionary of Minor Planet Names where the naming citation was first published

Purpose
The compilation serves as an authoritative source for researchers, educators, and the general public to understand the cultural and historical context behind asteroid names. Because minor planets are discovered in large numbers, the IAU’s Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature (WGSBN) requires a brief citation for each approved name; this series aggregates those citations in an accessible format.

Relation to Other Segments
The series is divided into contiguous numeric blocks, each covering a thousand designations (e.g., 30001–31000, 31001–32000, etc.). Together, the series documents the naming of all numbered minor planets, currently exceeding 600,000 entries.

Maintenance
The entries are curated using information from the Minor Planet Center (MPC) and the Dictionary of Minor Planet Names (1995, 2003, 2007, 2012, 2014 editions). Updates occur when new naming citations are issued, ensuring the list reflects the latest approved names.

Access
The list is publicly available on Wikipedia and is often linked from the IAU’s Minor Planet Center website. It is also reproduced in printed and digital astronomical reference works that catalog minor‑planet designations and their etymologies.