Named in memory of James Edwin Keeler (1857-1900), pioneer American astrophysicist and second director of the Lick Observatory.  He measured accurately the wavelengths of the chief nebular lines, confirmed spectroscopically the particle nature of Saturn’s rings and recognized the spiral "nebulae" as numerous, important constituents of the universe.  In 1899 he also discovered photographically with the Crossley reflector the faint minor planet (452) Hamiltonia.  Citation prepared by D. E. Osterbrock.

Keeler was named an Honorary Member of the Astronomical and Physical Society of Toronto on 1895-08-20.

Orbit type: Main Belt Asteroid

Reference: MPC 13172