Space recognition: Asteroid 57915 named after Ukrainian track and field athlete Yaroslava Mahuchikh

Official inclusion in the astronomical catalogue

The name of asteroid (57915) Mahuchikh has been entered into the official registry of the International Astronomical Union (IAU). This celestial object is named after Ukrainian track and field athlete and high jumper Yaroslava Mahuchikh. The relevant information was published in the official bulletin of the Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature (WGSBN).

It is worth noting that the naming took place back in August 2025, but it only gained wide coverage in Ukraine in October 2026. The asteroid belongs to the category of Jovian Trojan asteroids, which orbit the Sun in orbital resonance with the gas giant planet.

Characteristics and discovery history of the object

The Mahuchikh asteroid has catalogue number 57915. It was discovered on 9 March 2002 at Mount Bigelow, located in the state of Arizona (USA). The discovery was made within the framework of the Catalina Sky Survey astronomical project.

Scientifically, the object has been classified as a member of the L4 Trojan group, also known as the "Greeks". These bodies move along an orbit around the Sun in a zone that is approximately 60 degrees ahead of Jupiter. The term "near Jupiter" in this context refers to a shared orbital zone, not physical proximity to the planet.

Rules for naming Olympians

Since 2018, current IAU rules have allowed the naming of Jovian Trojan asteroids after Olympic and Paralympic champions. This procedure was used to honour the achievements of the Ukrainian athlete.

The first object named under the new rules was the asteroid Queta. It was dedicated to Mexican track and field athlete Norma Enriqueta Basilio, who lit the Olympic flame during the 1968 Games in Mexico City.

Yaroslava Mahuchikh's sporting path

Yaroslava Mahuchikh was born on 19 September 2001 in Dnipro. She is a multiple international competition medallist, an Olympic champion, and the holder of the world record in high jump.

In 2018, the athlete won at the Youth Olympic Games and the European Junior Championships. In 2019, at the age of 17, she managed to win a Diamond League event in Doha.

At the Tokyo Olympic Games, Mahuchikh won a bronze medal. At the 2024 Paris Games, she became an Olympic champion. On 7 July 2024, at the Paris Diamond League event, the Ukrainian set a world record by clearing a height of 2.10 metres. She also holds the titles of World Champion and European Champion.

The tradition of honouring athletes in space

Naming the asteroid after Mahuchikh continues the international tradition of recognising outstanding athletes through the nomenclature of small Solar System bodies. Among other notable examples are asteroids named after tennis players Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, as well as track and field athletes Jesse Owens and Emil Zátopek.

Now, Yaroslava Mahuchikh's name is established not only in the history of track and field but also in official astronomical science.