On August 22, Abdelkrim Boskri joined the esteemed group of Moroccans whose names are inscribed in the sky. Asteroid 176532 was named in Boskri’s honor, recognizing his distinguished contributions as a researcher at the Oukaïmeden Observatory. Below is a list of asteroids named after Moroccans, each serving as a celestial tribute to their remarkable work in astronomy.

“Benkhaldoun”, Asteroid 133892.

Dr. Zouhair Benkhaldoun is a leading astrophysicist and energetics expert who founded Morocco’s first professional astronomical observatory, the Oukaimeden Observatory in 2007. He holds a PhD in Astrophysics from Cadi Ayyad University and the University of Nice Sophia Antipolis (1994), as well as a doctorate in Energetics from the University of Provence (1985). With over 300 published works, Benkhaldoun played a key role in the groundbreaking discovery of the “TRAPPIST-1” exoplanet system.

“Moulane”, Asteroid 33903

Youssef Moulane is a Moroccan postdoctoral researcher with a lifelong fascination for the sky and its celestial bodies. His 2015 master’s thesis focused on the automatic detection of asteroids and comets using data from the Oukaimeden Observatory. His academic journey took him from Cadi Ayyad University to the University of Liège, where he pursued a PhD on comets’ physical and chemical properties. He later worked in France on cometary atmospheric collisions and completed his research at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) in Chile.

“Chennaoui”, Asteroid 299020.

Dr. Hasnaa Chennaoui Aoudjehane is a distinguished Moroccan scientist specializing in meteorites, planetary science, and geochemistry. She is a professor at Hassan II University in Casablanca, where she also serves as Director of the GAIA Laboratory and Coordinator of the Research Center for Geo-Resources and the Environment. Additionally, she is the president of the ATTARIK Foundation for Meteoritics and Planetary Science.

Dr. Chennaoui is the first woman in Morocco and the Arab world to earn a degree in planetary science. She holds a PhD in noble gas geochemistry from Pierre and Marie Curie University (Paris 6) and completed a doctoral thesis on meteorites at Hassan II University.

“Dassou”, Asteroid 313921.

Ahmed Daassou is a distinguished academic at Cadi Ayyad University in Morocco, recognized for his significant contributions to astrophysics and theoretical physics. His career includes roles at various prestigious institutions, such as the Polydisciplinary Faculty of Safi and the Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, underscoring his commitment to advancing scientific knowledge in Morocco.

“Shisseh”, asteroid 362238.

Taha Shisseh holds a PhD in Meteoritics and Planetary Science. He is the founder of “Space Chat,” a digital initiative aimed at popularizing planetary science, astronomy, and astrophotography. This platform, active across various social media channels, targets Moroccan, Arab, and African audiences with reliable scientific content. Space Chat seeks to combat misinformation by providing accurate, science-based knowledge and addressing gaps in content creation in these regions.

“Lazrek”, asteroid 368588 Lazrek.

Mohamed Lazrek is a distinguished researcher in the Physics Department at Cadi Ayyad University in Marrakech and a co-founder of the Oukaimeden Observatory.

“Benhida”, Asteroid 175282.

Abdelmajid Benhida is an accomplished researcher specializing in variable stars. He earned his PhD in condensed matter and materials physics from the University of Montpellier in 1990 and a doctorate in microelectronics and sensor physics from Université Cadi Ayyad in 1998. Currently, he is a professor at Cadi Ayyad University and a researcher at the Physics of High Energy & Astrophysics Laboratory (LPHEA) at the Oukaimeden Observatory.

“Sefyani”, Asteroid 309917.

Sefyani Fouad is a Moroccan researcher and physics professor at Cadi Ayyad University. He is also a permanent member of the Laboratory of High Energy and Astrophysics at the Oukaimeden Observatory. His research primarily focuses on variable stars.

“Ouchaou”, Asteroid 399745.

Omar Ouchaou is a Moroccan technician at the Oukaimen Observatory. To honor his instrumental work at the Observatory for the past 33 years, asteroid 399745 was named after him.

“Hafili”, Asteroid 199838.

Mohamed Ali Hafili is the founder of Astronomy Marrakech and a Atlas Dark Sky Reserve Morocco (ADSRM) project member. For over 15 years, he has been instrumental in promoting astronomy across Morocco through collaborations with various associations and organizations. With a passion for astronomy and photography, he is constantly seeking remote locations free from light pollution to observe and capture the universe’s wonders.

“Hilaomar”, Asteroid 242529.

Hila Omar is a businessman, philanthropist, and fervent astronomy lover. His cultural center, Atlas Golf in Marrakech, is home to the largest telescope in the country. Additionally, he has offered a radio telescope from the center for use in astronomical research at Cadi Ayyad University, furthering the advancement of science in the region.