Duncan Steel

Duncan I. Steel (born 1955) is a British space scientist. He has discovered several minor planets and has written four popular science books. He is a member of the International Astronomical Union, and has worked at the Xerra Earth Observation Institute in Nelson, in the South Island of New Zealand. He was formerly on the staff of the University of Salford in the United Kingdom. Steel completed a PhD at the University of Canterbury in 1984 with a thesis on the orbital characteristics of meteoroids.

Between 1990 and 1994 he discovered twelve numbered minor planets. The asteroid 4713 Steel, discovered by Robert McNaught in 1989, is named after him.

In August 2022 Steel pleaded guilty to burglary and breaching the New Zealand Harmful Digital Communications Act. He was sentenced to 12 months' house arrest and ordered to pay $3000 in reparation for emotional harm.

+ Minor planets discovered: 12 5263 Arrius 13 April 1991 6828 Elbsteel 12 November 1990 9038 Helensteel 12 November 1990 9193 Geoffreycopland 10 March 1992 9758 Dainty 13 April 1991 9767 Midsomer Norton 10 March 1992 10107 Kenny 27 March 1992 16578 Essjayess 29 March 1992 24734 Kareness 10 March 1992 55815 Melindakim 31 December 1994 58196 Ashleyess 10 March 1992 69311 Russ 21 August 1992

Books (with a foreword by Arthur C. Clarke). (with an afterword by Arthur C. Clarke).

(with a foreword by Paul Davies).