# Michel Ory

Michel Ory (born 18 April 1966) is a Swiss amateur astronomer and a prolific discoverer of minor planets and comets.

## Biography

Ory was born in Develier, in the district of Delémont in the canton of Jura in Switzerland. He attended school in Delémont, and at the cantonal school in Porrentruy, then studied at the University of Geneva, graduating in physics in 1990. He trained as a scientific journalist at Cedos SA in Carouge, qualifying in 1992, then undertook teacher training at the Institut pédagogique in Porrentruy, qualifying as a secondary school teacher in 1994, then becoming a physics teacher at the cantonal school in Porrentruy, a position which he continues to hold in 2012. Ory is married and has two children.
A keen amateur astronomer, he joined the Jura Astronomical Society in 1990 and between 1993 and 1998 he was one of the seven member-builders of the Jura Astronomical Observatory.

## Awards

He was one of five winners of the 2009 Edgar Wilson Award for his discovery on 27 August 2008 of 304P/Ory (P/2008 Q2 Ory), a periodic comet of the Jupiter family, using a 24-inch f/3.9 reflector at the Jura Observatory in Switzerland.
In 2018, he was awarded a Gene Shoemaker NEO Grant which will improve the robotic survey he conducts in collaboration with Claudine Rinner at the Oukaïmeden Observatory (J43) in Morocco. He is a teacher of physics at the cantonal school in Porrentruy, Switzerland. The main-belt asteroid 67979 Michelory was named in his honor.
In 2020, he and Claudine Rinner jointly received the Dorothea Klumpke - Isaac Roberts prize from the Société astronomique de France.

## Discoveries

Minor planets discovered: 210 :
* see § List of discovered minor planets
During 2000–2010, Michel Ory has made a large number of discoveries of different astronomical objects at several observatory sites. As per 2016, he is credited by the Minor Planet Center with the discovery of 199 numbered minor planets he made during 2001–2010.
At the Jura Observatory, located in Vicques, Switzerland, he made his most famous discovery, 304P/Ory, a periodic comet of the Jupiter family, and also discovered over 234 asteroids (including unnumbered bodies) and two supernovae. Ory also made discoveries at two other observatory sites in the U.S., namely at Tenagra II Observatory (926), Arizona, and at Sierra Stars Observatory (G68), California, from where he discovered another 11 and 2 asteroids, respectively.

### Comet 304P/Ory

It was on the nights of 26–27 and 27–28 August 2008 that Ory discovered what he thought was a near-Earth asteroid, which he reported to the Minor Planet Center, Harvard. At around 8:08 p.m. on 28 August he received notification from the Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams (CBAT) that the object was in fact a periodic comet: the announcement ran, "An apparently asteroidal object discovered by Michel Ory (Delemont, Switzerland, on CCD images obtained with a 0.61-m f/3.9 reflector at Vicques; discovery observation tabulated below), which was posted on the Minor Planet Center's 'NEOCP' webpage, has been found by other CCD observers to be cometary."
The comet was named 304P/Ory (P/2008 Q2 Ory) after him, and the CBAT announcement brought congratulations from around the world. The comet orbits the sun in an elliptical orbit with a period of 5.96 years.
Ory received the Edgar Wilson Award from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory at Harvard University, and later in 2008 a square in Viques was named Place de la Comète P/2008 Q2 Ory in honour of his discovery.

## List of discovered minor planets

| 57658 Nilrem | 17 October 2001 | list |
| 68718 Safi | 17 February 2002 | list |
| 84902 Porrentruy | 17 October 2003 | list |
| 88906 Moutier | 11 October 2001 | list |
| 95771 Lachat | 9 March 2003 | list |
| 99824 Polnareff | 29 June 2002 | list |
| 113415 Rauracia | 30 September 2002 | list |
| 115950 Kocherpeter | 18 November 2003 | list |
| 117736 Sherrod | 4 April 2005 | list |
| 125076 Michelmayor | 19 October 2001 | list |
| 126160 Fabienkuntz | 4 January 2002 | list |
| 126748 Mariegerbet | 16 February 2002 | list |
| (128629) 2004 RS$_{10}$ | 7 September 2004 | list |
| 129078 Animoo | 8 November 2004 | list |
| 129137 Hippolochos | 13 January 2005 | list |
| (143577) 2003 FG$_2$ | 23 March 2003 | list |
| 143622 Robertbloch | 22 April 2003 | list |
| (145456) 2005 SA$_5$ | 24 September 2005 | list |
| 145559 Didiermüller | 18 July 2006 | list |
| (145565) 2006 OH$_{10}$ | 24 July 2006 | list |
| (152190) 2005 QZ$_{56}$ | 29 August 2005 | list |
| (155018) 2005 QK$_{28}$ | 28 August 2005 | list |
| 157456 Pivatte | 17 November 2004 | list |
| 162937 Prêtre | 12 August 2001 | list |
| (163380) 2002 PN$_{86}$ | 13 August 2002 | list |
| (167855) 2005 ET | 1 March 2005 | list |
| 170162 Nicolashayek | 23 March 2003 | list |
| 170906 Coluche | 9 December 2004 | list |
| 170927 Dgebessire | 5 January 2005 | list |
| (171376) 2006 OM | 17 July 2006 | list |
| (173050) 2006 QU$_{142}$ | 31 August 2006 | list |
| 173086 Nireus | 8 September 2007 | list |
| 175208 Vorbourg | 1 April 2005 | list |
| 175282 Benhida | 1 June 2005 | list |
| 176532 Boskri | 5 January 2002 | list |
| 177415 Queloz | 9 February 2004 | list |
| (177866) 2005 QL$_{28}$ | 28 August 2005 | list |
| 179764 Myriamsarah | 16 September 2002 | list |
| 180643 Cardoen | 14 April 2004 | list |
| 183114 Vicques | 13 September 2002 | list |
| 184508 Courroux | 10 August 2005 | list |
| 187123 Schorderet | 30 August 2005 | list |
| 188446 Louischevrolet | 17 April 2004 | list |
| (188506) 2004 RR$_1$ | 5 September 2004 | list |
| (191672) 2004 RT$_{10}$ | 7 September 2004 | list |
| 197864 Florentpagny | 5 September 2004 | list |
| 197870 Erkman | 6 September 2004 | list |
| (198920) 2005 UP$_{158}$ | 30 October 2005 | list |
| 199838 Hafili | 11 March 2007 | list |
| (200058) 2008 QA$_4$ | 24 August 2008 | list |
| 204702 Péquignat | 19 March 2006 | list |
| 207109 Stürmenchopf | 11 January 2005 | list |
| (209675) 2005 DF$_1$ | 28 February 2005 | list |
| (210436) 2008 YZ$_{29}$ | 29 December 2008 | list |
| 210997 Guenat | 14 December 2001 | list |
| 211613 Christophelovis | 25 October 2003 | list |
| 212374 Vellerat | 21 April 2006 | list |
| 213770 Fignon | 23 February 2003 | list |
| 214081 Balavoine | 17 April 2004 | list |
| 214136 Alinghi | 13 January 2005 | list |
| 214378 Kleinmann | 10 June 2005 | list |
| (214432) 2005 QA$_{57}$ | 29 August 2005 | list |
| 218268 Pierremariepelé | 20 February 2003 | list |
| (218610) 2005 OK$_{15}$ | 30 July 2005 | list |
| 223566 Petignat | 22 March 2004 | list |
| 224027 Grégoire | 10 June 2005 | list |
| (224131) 2005 QO$_{28}$ | 28 August 2005 | list |
| 224206 Pietchisson | 21 September 2005 | list |
| 227065 Romandia | 1 April 2005 | list |
| (227147) 2005 PW$_5$ | 10 August 2005 | list |
| (227583) 2006 AU$_2$ | 5 January 2006 | list |
| (227928) 2007 GT$_1$ | 6 April 2007 | list |
| (227929) 2007 GT$_4$ | 11 April 2007 | list |
| (228057) 2008 JA$_{20}$ | 6 May 2008 | list |
| (229352) 2005 QB$_{57}$ | 29 August 2005 | list |
| (229497) 2005 VW$_4$ | 6 November 2005 | list |
| (229684) 2007 DQ$_{11}$ | 20 February 2007 | list |
| (229722) 2007 GE | 6 April 2007 | list |
| 230155 Francksallet | 26 August 2001 | list |
| 230975 Rogerfederer | 10 January 2005 | list |
| (231487) 2008 PQ$_3$ | 3 August 2008 | list |
| 233488 Cosandey | 16 December 2006 | list |
| (233585) 2007 RJ$_{18}$ | 14 September 2007 | list |
| 235027 Pommard | 23 March 2003 | list |
| (236808) 2007 RX$_{12}$ | 11 September 2007 | list |
| 238593 Paysdegex | 4 January 2005 | list |
| 238817 Titeuf | 10 August 2005 | list |
| 240871 MOSS | 19 February 2006 | list |
| 241364 Reneangelil | 7 January 2008 | list |
| 242492 Fantomas | 10 November 2004 | list |
| 242516 Lindseystirling | 4 January 2005 | list |
| 242529 Hilaomar | 13 January 2005 | list |
| (246803) 2009 FB$_1$ | 17 March 2009 | list |
| 248183 Peisandros | 13 January 2005 | list |
| (248748) 2006 RN | 1 September 2006 | list |
| (248951) 2006 XA$_4$ | 13 December 2006 | list |
| 249302 Ajoie | 26 October 2008 | list |
| (255592) 2006 OG$_{10}$ | 24 July 2006 | list |
| (257156) 2008 HO$_{37}$ | 29 April 2008 | list |
| (257251) 2009 FG$_{25}$ | 22 March 2009 | list |
| 259905 Vougeot | 14 March 2004 | list |
| 260906 Robichon | 1 September 2005 | list |
| 262705 Vosne-Romanee | 14 December 2006 | list |
| (262910) 2007 CL$_{51}$ | 15 February 2007 | list |
| (264021) 2009 QB$_2$ | 17 August 2009 | list |
| 272209 Corsica | 28 August 2005 | list |
| 275962 Chalverat | 21 November 2001 | list |
| 276781 Montchaibeux | 11 May 2004 | list |
| (278211) 2007 EX$_{38}$ | 11 March 2007 | list |
| (278283) 2007 GO$_{27}$ | 15 April 2007 | list |
| (278303) 2007 HY | 17 April 2007 | list |
| 280640 Ruetsch | 4 January 2005 | list |
| 280642 Doubs | 13 January 2005 | list |
| (281287) 2007 RD$_{133}$ | 15 September 2007 | list |
| 282669 Erguël | 6 November 2005 | list |
| (283073) 2008 SP$_{81}$ | 21 September 2008 | list |
| 284945 Saint-Imier | 14 March 2010 | list |
| (289317) 2005 AE$_{28}$ | 13 January 2005 | list |
| (289318) 2005 AF$_{28}$ | 13 January 2005 | list |
| 289586 Shackleton | 30 March 2005 | list |
| 289587 Chantdugros | 30 March 2005 | list |
| 290001 Uebersax | 10 August 2005 | list |
| (290030) 2005 QP$_{28}$ | 28 August 2005 | list |
| (290055) 2005 QF$_{57}$ | 30 August 2005 | list |
| (291422) 2006 DN$_{14}$ | 21 February 2006 | list |
| 291847 Ladoix | 19 July 2006 | list |
| (294543) 2007 YN$_2$ | 18 December 2007 | list |
| (295474) 2008 QB$_{18}$ | 28 August 2008 | list |
| (296551) 2009 QY$_1$ | 16 August 2009 | list |
| (296820) 2009 WT$_7$ | 18 November 2009 | list |
| 297026 Corton | 7 April 2010 | list |
| 299020 Chennaoui | 5 January 2005 | list |
| (301128) 2008 WV$_{96}$ | 28 November 2008 | list |
| (301413) 2009 DN$_{46}$ | 27 February 2009 | list |
| (301552) 2009 GA$_3$ | 14 April 2009 | list |
| 305254 Moron | 19 December 2007 | list |
| (305776) 2009 DE$_{46}$ | 27 February 2009 | list |
| 309917 Sefyani | 20 March 2009 | list |
| (312014) 2007 RH$_{18}$ | 13 September 2007 | list |
| (312542) 2009 FC$_1$ | 17 March 2009 | list |
| (312563) 2009 HO$_2$ | 18 April 2009 | list |
| 313921 Daassou | 5 September 2004 | list |
| 314040 Tavannes | 4 January 2005 | list |
| (316016) 2009 FO$_{21}$ | 22 March 2009 | list |
| (316039) 2009 GB$_3$ | 14 April 2009 | list |
| 316080 Boni | 16 May 2009 | list |
| 318412 Tramelan | 11 January 2005 | list |
| 318676 Bellelay | 10 August 2005 | list |
| 320065 Erbaghjolu | 11 March 2007 | list |
| (321404) 2009 QP | 16 August 2009 | list |
| (321410) 2009 QD$_6$ | 18 August 2009 | list |
| (324287) 2006 DO | 20 February 2006 | list |
| (325442) 2009 QZ$_1$ | 17 August 2009 | list |
| 327082 Tournesol | 10 November 2004 | list |
| 327632 Ferrarini | 24 July 2006 | list |
| (328370) 2008 QY$_{17}$ | 27 August 2008 | list |
| 329935 Prévôt | 30 July 2005 | list |
| (330380) 2006 XJ$_4$ | 14 December 2006 | list |
| 331992 Chasseral | 3 April 2005 | list |
| (333607) 2007 LY | 9 June 2007 | list |
| (335725) 2007 DP$_{11}$ | 20 February 2007 | list |
| 336108 Luberon | 2 May 2008 | list |
| 336203 Sandrobuss | 22 September 2008 | list |
| (336604) 2009 UL$_5$ | 18 October 2009 | list |
| (336605) 2009 UM$_5$ | 20 October 2009 | list |
| 337380 Lenormand | 17 August 2001 | list |
| 339486 Raimeux | 3 April 2005 | list |
| (339635) 2005 QR$_{28}$ | 29 August 2005 | list |
| (345879) 2007 RW$_{12}$ | 11 September 2007 | list |
| (346293) 2008 PG$_3$ | 4 August 2008 | list |
| 349606 Fleurance | 26 October 2008 | list |
| 352860 Monflier | 30 November 2008 | list |
| (353114) 2009 FR$_{14}$ | 20 March 2009 | list |
| (353116) 2009 FL$_{19}$ | 21 March 2009 | list |
| (362176) 2009 FP$_{21}$ | 22 March 2009 | list |
| 362238 Shisseh | 19 May 2009 | list |
| 363582 Folpotat | 9 February 2004 | list |
| 368588 Lazrek | 8 September 2004 | list |
| 372305 Bourdeille | 20 November 2008 | list |
| 375067 Hewins | 6 September 2007 | list |
| 378669 Rivas | 29 April 2008 | list |
| (381433) 2008 PJ$_{18}$ | 10 August 2008 | list |
| (385633) 2005 QD$_{57}$ | 29 August 2005 | list |
| 394445 Unst | 11 September 2007 | list |
| 399745 Ouchaou | 3 April 2005 | list |
| (402852) 2007 RE$_{12}$ | 9 September 2007 | list |
| (406352) 2007 RC$_{162}$ | 15 September 2007 | list |
| (406737) 2008 HP$_2$ | 25 April 2008 | list |
| (414283) 2008 MW$_4$ | 30 June 2008 | list |
| 418419 Lacanto | 28 June 2008 | list |
| 419521 Meursault | 7 May 2010 | list |
| 423205 Echezeaux | 5 September 2004 | list |
| (423207) 2004 RA$_8$ | 6 September 2004 | list |
| (423269) 2004 VX$_{28}$ | 8 November 2004 | list |
| (428092) 2006 QO$_4$ | 18 August 2006 | list |
| (428499) 2007 WZ$_3$ | 17 November 2007 | list |
| (435549) 2008 QZ$_3$ | 24 August 2008 | list |
| (445143) 2008 WX$_{94}$ | 26 November 2008 | list |
| 450390 Pitchcomment | 8 August 2005 | list |
| 469748 Volnay | 9 August 2005 | list |
| (469758) 2005 QQ$_{28}$ | 28 August 2005 | list |
| 470600 Calogero | 6 August 2008 | list |
| 481984 Cernunnos | 20 May 2009 | list |
| (495845) 2002 PP$_{123}$ | 15 August 2002 | list |
| (542180) 2013 AS$_{29}$ | 8 January 2013 | list |
| (542245) 2013 AP$_{131}$ | 7 January 2013 | list |
| (542307) 2013 BX$_{68}$ | 10 January 2013 | list |
| 542888 Confino | 10 June 2013 | list |
| (543081) 2013 SC$_{26}$ | 15 August 2013 | list |
| 543315 Asmakhammari | 10 December 2013 | list |
| (544892) 2014 WV$_{475}$ | 3 July 2013 | list |