Asteroid's Namesake
Thanks to my friend, colleague, and fellow UFO researcher Major James McGaha (USAF retired), who is director of the Grasslands Observatory in Tucson, Arizona, I now have an asteroid named for me: "31451Joenickell." The fact was revealed at the awards ceremony at the 2011 CSICon in New Orleans. McGaha's citation stated in part: "A noted author, investigator, and skeptic, Nickell has written more than 30 books on mysteries, frauds, forgeries and hoaxes. He promotes scientific inquiry and reasoned investigation of extraordinary claims."
As it happens, mine is a main-belt asteroid with an orbit far outside that of Mars, and it is believed to be partly composed of nickel.
