Named in honour of the Canadian astronomer Ruth Josephine Northcott (b. 1913, d. 1969), an associate professor at the University of Toronto and a staff member of the David Dunlap Observatory from its inception in 1935. A specialist in stellar radial velocities, Northcott served on IAU Commissions 26 (double stars), 30 (radial velocities) and 41 (history of astronomy). In 1956 she succeeded C. A. Chant as editor of the Observer's Handbook of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, a position she held until her untimely death. JRASC

Orbit type: Main Belt Asteroid 

Reference:

MPC 12974

JRASC Vol. 63, p. 225-226 (1969)