#REDIRECT [[List of minor planets: 2001–3000#309]]
'''2309 Mr. Spock''' is a small [[asteroid]] in the main [[asteroid belt]], about 11 km in [[diameter]]. It was discovered in [[1971]] by [[James B. Gibson (astronomer)|James B. Gibson]]. Its name does not come directly from the character of [[Spock|Mr. Spock]] in [[Star Trek: The Original Series|''Star Trek'']], but rather from the discoverer's cat. Like his namesake, the feline Mr. Spock was "imperturbable, logical, intelligent, and had pointed ears". The naming created an uproar, and the [[International Astronomical Union]] subsequently decided that pet animal names were to be discouraged. A number of other asteroids have since been named after Star Trek characters, as well as after musicians and other figures in pop culture.
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==External links==
*[http://www.swisr.org/col5.html Name those asteroids] – "In Our Skies" sample column (February 13, 1998)
