The Working Group on Small Body Nomenclature (WGSBN), the official body of the International Astronomical Union (IAU), has announced that the dwarf planet 2014 QM279 will bear the name (711824) Infante as of February 2025. This naming pays tribute to Leopoldo Infante, a renowned Chilean astronomer and current Director of the Las Campanas Observatory of the Carnegie Institution for Science, for his outstanding contributions to the field of astronomy.
The dwarf planet (711824) Infante was discovered on August 29, 2003 by astronomer D. D. Balam from the Maunakea Observatory on the island of Hawaii. This celestial body is located in the asteroid belt, a region between the orbits of Mars and Jupiter, where many rocky objects orbit the Sun. The decision to name this dwarf planet in honor of Leopoldo Infante follows the criteria established by the WGSBN, which include mythological considerations and proposals from discoverers, as well as recognition of outstanding figures in the scientific field.
Leopoldo Infante, who has dedicated his career to the study of distant galaxies and star formation, expressed his gratitude for this unexpected honor: “It is an unexpected honor to have an astronomical object in the solar system with my family's last name. Just thank the discoverers of the planetoid for this recognition.”
The nomination of (711824) Infante not only celebrates the professional career of Leopoldo Infante, but also highlights the importance of Chilean astronomy in the global context. Chile, home to some of the most advanced observatories in the world, continues to be a reference in astronomical research, and figures such as Infante are an example of the impact that Chilean scientists have on the advancement of this discipline.