Loren C. Ball (born 1948 in Watonga, Oklahoma, United States[2]) is an American amateur astronomer, who has discovered more than 100 asteroids while working at his Emerald Lane Observatory (843), built on the roof of his house on Emerald Lane, Decatur, Alabama.[3][4][5] As of 2026, he has credit for 112 numbered designations with the Minor Planet Center at Harvard for the period between 2000 and 2004. None of them were co-discoveries.[1] He is under contract with NASA through the University of Alabama in Huntsville to do outreach to school groups and organisations.[5]As of 2024[update], he promotes asteroid education in schools and on social media.[3]
↑"(115492) Watonga = 2003 UR22"(PDF). WGSBN Bulletin. 2 (7). International Astronomical Union: 12. 23 May 2022. Discovery: 2003-10-23 / L. Ball / Emerald Lane / 843. Watonga is a city (population about 5000) in Blaine County, Oklahoma, 70 miles northwest of Oklahoma City. Watonga is the county seat of Blaine County and the birthplace of the discoverer.
