Konstantin chaykin and leonid elenin 1

Comet named after Russian watchmaker Konstantin Chaykin

The Russian astronomer Leonid Elenin, discoverer of comets and of several asteroids, decided to name the asteroid 301522 (2009 FX23) after Chaykin.

Watchmaking is closely connected with astronomy and in Russia, Konstantin Chaykin has had a comet named after him by compatriot and astronomer, Leonid Elenin.

Observant researchers of the history of watchmaking will be able to find on lunar maps the Byrgius crater, named in honour of the Swiss clockmaker, mathematician and maker of astronomical instruments Jost Bürgi, and the Rittenhouse crater, which was given the name of the American astronomer, inventor, mathematician and clockmaker David Rittenhouse.

This list of astronomical objects also includes that of the remarkable Russian watchmaker and inventor Ivan Kulibin, after whom the asteroid 5809 Kulibin was named.

Today, in what Mr Chaykin describes an “unexpected move,” the name of the Russian watchmaker and inventor Konstantin Chaykin has been added to the list.

The Russian astronomer Leonid Elenin, discoverer of C/2010 X1 and P/2011 NO1 comets and of several asteroids, decided to name the asteroid 301522 (2009 FX23) after Chaykin, discovered by him on 22nd March 2009.

Official confirmation of its naming was published by the International Astronomical Union in the WG Small Bodies Nomenclature Bulletin on 2nd September, 2021.

Asteroid 301522 Chaykin is located in the main asteroid belt, has a diameter of around 3,528km, and a period of orbit around the Sun of 2041.64 days (5.59 years).

Leonid Elenin personally presented Konstantin Chaykin with a certificate of the naming of the small celestial body.

Elenin explained: “The name of an asteroid can be suggested by the one who discovers it. For example, I suggested Konstantin’s name, and the working group on naming small bodies in the solar system agreed.”

Adding: “Konstantin and I met a few years ago, when he was creating his first ‘Martian’ watch. I feel that the candidature of this Russian watchmaker, creator of some of the most complicated mechanical timepieces and someone who is also incredibly interested in the topic of space, couldn’t have fit more perfectly. He is fully deserving of it.”

In response, Konstantin Chaykin said: “Quite a lot of time has passed since Leonid discovered asteroid 301522. It’s funny, but I couldn’t have imagined how things turned out. But note that, in fact, without even knowing I would move exactly in that direction myself, I developed and invented timepieces and new astronomical and cosmic functions, unexpectedly for me yet so well appreciated by Leonid Elenin.”

Concluding: “I have many more promising ideas and developments in store to be honest, and this gift greatly inspires me. I feel that I have more strength to implement at least part of my plans. Leonid – thank you.”

Below is a list of additional astronomical and cosmic mechanical watch complications and functions invented by Konstantin Chaykin:

  • Analemma indication
  • ‘Mysterious’ planisphere
  • ‘Mysterious’ annual calendar with date and month indications
  • Chaykin’s system of natural 3D moonphase indication
  • Chaykin’s system of natural 3D Earth phase indication as it observed from the Moon
  • Martian perpetual calendar
  • System of synchronised indication of Earth and Mars time with Chaykin’s Martian gear train
  • Planetary indication of the relative positions of the Sun, Earth and Mars in a wristwatch
  • Indication of oppositions and perihelic oppositions
  • Indication of mission length in sols (Mars solar days)
  • Martian tourbillon with a revolution for every Mars minute (approximately 61.65 Earth seconds)
  • Synchronised retrograde display of Mars date and day of the week with a two-week period indicator
  • Indicator of mission launch window to Mars
  • Indicator of distance between Earth and Mars

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