In an out-of-this-world twist of fate, Dr. Jeroen Stil, an associate professor at the University of Calgary, has been honored with an asteroid named after him—Asteroid 611064, affectionately dubbed "Jeroenstil." This stellar recognition comes nearly 30 years after a similar opportunity slipped through his fingers during grad school.

Back in his student days, an asteroid was almost named for him, but the very similarity of his surname, "Stil," to the asteroid 'Still' meant that dream couldn't take flight at that time. Fast forward to today, where Dr. Stil can now thank his fellow academic, Dr. Phil Langill, who took the initiative to nominate him for this celestial tribute.

The honor was facilitated by renowned astronomer David Balam, who is credited with numerous minor planet discoveries and had the naming rights after confirming their orbits. Dr. Langill, already honored with an asteroid of his own, was keen to ensure Dr. Stil received the same recognition.

"I remembered all of Jeroen's amazing contributions to astronomical history and thought he was the perfect candidate for the honor," Langill expressed, adding that the entire department is filled with outstanding talents, making the selection a tough but rewarding process.

This friendly rivalry between the two professors adds a delightful twist to the story. Dr. Langill secretly hoped this nomination would allow him to get the upper hand over Stil, who always seems to shine just a little brighter in their professional competitions.

Born in the Netherlands, Stil earned his PhD at the University of Leiden before migrating to Calgary in 2008. The process for naming asteroids requires a detailed biography, and Stil was amusingly baffled when Langill asked for his birthdate—never suspecting it was for the asteroid.

A moment of sheer joy unfolded when Langill finally delivered the news to Stil during a Zoom call. Langill recounted how Stil's reaction was priceless: "His face just dropped, and he looked completely stunned. I think it took a moment for him to process that he now had an asteroid named after him. It was heartwarming to see him get emotional over the news; he truly deserved it!"

Though both asteroids remain distant dots in the galaxy, the honor marks a monumental moment in Stel's career, proving that dreams can indeed come true—even if they take a few decades to materialize. With space travel likened to a thrilling roller coaster ride, both professors are now on a cosmic adventure together, forever connected in the stars.