On January 31, 2008, the naming ceremony for “Wang Xuan Star” was held in Beijing. The ceremony was co-organized by the Jiu San (Sept.3rd) Society, Ministry of Education, China Association for Science and Technology, Peking University, Purple Mountain Observatory of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Founder Group. Han Qide, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and Chairman of China Association for Science and Technology, Xu Kuangdi, Vice Chairman of CPPCC attended the naming ceremony.

The orbit of “Wang Xuan Star” is between Mars and Jupiter. It was discovered by Purple Mountain Observatory of Chinese Academy of Sciences on September 20, 1965, with an international serial number of 4913. Upon the approval of International Asteroid Center and International Naming Committee for Asteroids, it is official named “Wang Xuan Star”.

Academician Wang Xuan (1937-2006), the initiator of computerized laser phototypesetting technology for Chinese characters, enjoys great prestige both at home and abroad. In 2001, he won top National Science and Technology Award.