An asteroid located between Mars and Jupiter has been named in honor of “Weird Al” Yankovic. This is perhaps the greatest honor I’ve ever received, Yankovic said of the al-steroid. I just hope this isn’t the asteroid that winds up destroying the earth.
The International Astronomical Union approved the naming of the asteroid as (14331) Alyankovic. As to why “Weird Al” Yankovic received the astronomical tribute instead of the usual science smartypants honoree, the official citation reads, “Generations of scientists have been inspired by his comedic musical works, including ‘It’s All About the Pentiums’ and ‘White and Nerdy.’”
Asteroid Facts and Stats
Here are the official stats and facts about (14331) Alyankovic: Discovery date: March 2, 1981, Discoverer: Stephen J. Bus, Discovery site: Siding Spring Observatory, Australia, Asteroid family: Massalia Family, Asteroid type: silicate, ‘S-type’, Location: Main Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter, Estimated diameter: approximately 1.5-2 km, roughly 1-1.25 miles, Orbital period (“year”): approximately 3.77 Earth years (about 1,378 days), Semi-major axis: approximately 2.42 AU from the Sun, Estimated average orbital speed: about 19 km/s (≈ 42,500 mph), Official naming citation published by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature (WGSBN)
“Weird Al” Yankovic has been using humor to champion learning for many years. His work has inspired curiosity, creativity, lifelong learning, and a sense of joy in discovering how the world works, said Dr. Allison McGraw, a NASA-affiliated planetary scientist who, along with Arizona State University School of Earth and Space Exploration professor Dr. Steve Desch, led the nomination and naming process.
Recent Projects and Tours
“Weird Al” Yankovic has been busy with many projects this year. He made his grand return to NPR’s Tiny Desk, he’s releasing the UHF score soundtrack on vinyl for the first time, he’s giving the film a live orchestra screening on Halloween, he’s working on the Dare to Be Stupid Broadway jukebox musical, and he teamed up with Batman and Superman. You can get tickets to the remaining dates on Yankovic’s “BIGGER & WEIRDER 2026 Tour” here.
In conclusion, the naming of the asteroid (14331) Alyankovic in honor of “Weird Al” Yankovic is a unique tribute to his contributions to the world of comedy and music. With his many projects and tours, “Weird Al” Yankovic continues to entertain and inspire fans around the world.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte, widely regarded as the “Shakespeare of Sh*tposts,” is a video game expert with a unique knack for turning pixels into punchlines.
Born in the small town of Respawn, Pennsylvania, Pixel grew up mashing buttons on an ancient NES controller, firmly believing that “blowing into the cartridge” was a sacred ritual passed down through generations.
Pixel P. Snarkbyte: proving that life, much like a buggy open-world game, is better with a little lag-induced chaos.
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