“Weird Al” Yankovic just got his own asteroid, and honestly it tracks

Grab your pocket protector and look to the skies — “Weird Al” Yankovic has officially gone interstellar. On September 7th, 2026, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) approved the naming of asteroid (14331) Alyankovic, cementing Al’s status as not just a music legend, but a genuine cosmic one too.

Let’s be real: the man’s resume was already absurd. Five Grammys. An Emmy. The first comedy album ever to debut at #1 on the Billboard Top 200. He’s one of only three artists — alongside Michael Jackson and Madonna — to land Top 40 singles in each of the last four decades. A star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Over 2,000 shows played across the globe. Writer, actor, producer, director, voice-over artist, and the best-selling comedy recording artist of all time. And now, an asteroid with his name on it.

A Different Kind of Honour

Asteroid naming is typically reserved for researchers, educators, and scientific trailblazers — it’s one of the highest honors the small-body science community can bestow, recognizing not just accomplishment but generational impact. Every so often, though, that honour extends beyond the lab to someone whose work sparked curiosity and creativity in a whole different way. Enter Al.

The official citation reads:

14331 Alyankovic
Discovered 1981-Mar-02 by Bus, S. J. at Siding Spring

Alfred Matthew “Weird Al” Yankovic (b. 1959) is an American musician, songwriter and actor. Generations of scientists have been inspired by his comedic musical works, including “It’s All About the Pentiums” and “White and Nerdy.”

For a generation of scientists who came up in the computer age, tracks like It’s All About the Pentiums, White and Nerdy, and Word Crimes — plus his short film Al’s Brain: A 3-D Journey Through the Human Brain — made tech, science, and unapologetic nerdiness feel genuinely fun. Long before “STEM outreach” was a buzzword, Al was already out here making learning cool through comedy.

Dr. Allison McGraw, planetary scientist at the NASA-affiliated Lunar and Planetary Institute and one of the key figures behind the nomination (alongside Dr. Steve Desch of Arizona State University), put it best:

“The asteroid science community believes Weird Al’s influence extends far beyond music. Many of us grew up listening to Weird Al’s music while learning about computers, science, mathematics, and technology. For countless scientists, engineers, programmers, educators, and students, his work helped create an environment where being enthusiastic about learning was something worth celebrating. His work has inspired curiosity, creativity, lifelong learning, and a sense of joy in discovering how the world works. That is precisely why we felt he belonged among the stars.”

And Al’s response? Peak Al:

“This is perhaps the greatest honor I’ve ever received. I just hope this isn’t the asteroid that winds up destroying the earth.”

The Official Stats

• Official designation: (14331) Alyankovic
• Discovery date: March 2, 1981
• Discoverer: Stephen J. Bus
• Discovery site: Siding Spring Observatory, Australia
• Asteroid family: Massalia Family
• Asteroid type: silicate, ‘S-type’
• Location: Main Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter
• Estimated diameter: approximately 1.5–2 km, roughly 1–1.25 miles
• Orbital period (“year”): approximately 3.77 Earth years (about 1,378 days)
• Semi-major axis: approximately 2.42 AU from the Sun
• Estimated average orbital speed: about 19 km/s (≈ 42,500 mph)
• Official naming citation published by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature (WGSBN)

Back on Planet Earth: The Tour Rolls On

While his asteroid orbits the sun once every 3.77 years, Al himself is a little easier to catch — he’s mid-way through his record-breaking BIGGER & WEIRDER Tour, hitting 165 cities across North America. Expect the hits, the deep cuts, a giant video wall, a parade of costume changes, and his killer eight-piece band bringing the whole comedy-rock spectacle to life. The tour runs through October 17.

And if that’s not enough Al for one season: he’s bringing UHF back to the big screen for one night only at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday, October 31 — original score performed live by a full orchestra, conducted by composer John Du Prez, followed by a live Q&A with Al and special guests.

Remaining BIGGER & WEIRDER 2026 Tour Dates

• Sept 26 – Southaven (Memphis, TN), MS – Landers Center
• Sept 27 – Knoxville, TN – Food City Center
• Sept 29 – Auburn, AL – The Gogue Center
• Sept 30 – Tallahassee, FL – Donald L. Tucker Civic Center
• Oct 2 – Birmingham, AL – Coca-Cola Amphitheater
• Oct 3 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater
• Oct 4 – Brandon (Jackson), MS – Brandon Amphitheater
• Oct 6 – Chattanooga, TN – Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Auditorium
• Oct 7 – Salem, VA – Salem Civic Center
• Oct 8 – Charlottesville, VA – John Paul Jones Arena
• Oct 10 – Toledo, OH – Huntington Center
• Oct 11 – University Park, PA – Bryce Jordan Center
• Oct 13 – Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center Arena
• Oct 15 – Fort Wayne, IN – Allen County War Memorial Coliseum
• Oct 16 – Green Bay, WI – Resch Center
• Oct 17 – Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum

Tickets and full routing available at weirdal.com. Follow “Weird Al” Yankovic on Website | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Spotify.