An asteroid was named after author Iain M.Banks after the astronomer Dr. José Luis Galache’s request to the International Astronomical Union. Dr.Galache met Iain Banks at a book signing while in graduate school and quickly became a fan of his work. “I’d like to think Mr Banks would have been amused to have his own rock,” wrote Galache.
The renaming was approved on 23rd of June and the former asteroid 5099 from the Main Asteroid Belt, discovered in 1985 (that takes nearly 3.94 years to travel round the sun) bears now a famous name, “Iainbanks”. An appropriate tribute to a man that contributed so much to the european and world’s science fiction.
Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, will be holding a season of events over the summer in celebration of Ianin M.Banks’work. The events will include readings and dramatizations, the commissioning of new short stories, and a film show, including an event from The Society of Young Publishers calling for Banks-themed short stories, with ticket proceeds to go to Cancer Research, and will finish with a grand Celebration of Iain Banks as part of the Edinburgh International Book Festival. A Science Fiction virtual trail will be launched on the City of Literature website in the coming months.
Edinburgh boasts the designation of the world’s first UNESCO City of Literature.
http://minorplanetcenter.net/db_search/show_object?object_id=iainbanks
http://www.teleread.com/around-world/edinburgh-holds-summer-season-celebrating-work-of-iain-banks/