NASA named a newly discovered asteroid after Farouk El-Baz, the Egyptian space scientist, in recognition of his outstanding scientific contributions.
El-Baz announced that the World Astronomical Union of the United Nations announced the launching of the name "El-Baz" on an asteroid in space as a result of his role with NASA, beginning with the Apollo project to explore the surface of the moon in the mid-sixties of the last Apollo Sios American - Russian Joint Trip.
This is the first time an Egyptian asteroid has been named in the sky.
The Minister of State for Migration and Egyptians Abroad Affairs Nabila Makram congratulated El-Baz through a statement on the ministry's official Facebook page.
Baz, was born on January 2, 1938 in Zagazig, Sharkia governorate.
He earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry and geology from Ain Shams University at the age of 20.
In 1961, he obtained a master's degree in geology, a doctorate in 1964 then worked for NASA during the Apollo program.
