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NASA
has announced it will name a minor
planet after a zoology professor from
Kerala. For Sainudeen Pattazhy, it
is recognition for some pioneering
work he has done in the field of environmental
research. "I was so happy when NASA
informed me on Wednesday evening that
my name has been selected for naming
a minor planet. It's known as 5178
Pattazhy. Actually, Rajamohan had
discovered it in 1989. He proposed
my name and NASA accepted it," Pattazhy
said. Pattazhy became popular for
his study on the red rain phenomenon
in Kerala in recent years. The professor's
research proved that the red colour
of the rains were due to a geological
process and had nothing to do with
alien life. "Regarding red rain, there
was an argument that it was alien
presence. But that's just like science
fiction. During 2001-02, peculiar
geological situation was prevailing
in Kerala like caving in of wells
and landslides," he added. Pattazhy
is the first Indian after the legendary
scientist Homi J Baba to get his name
stamped on a celestial body.
Courtesy:
www.ibnlive.com, May 03, 2008
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