David D. Balam

David D. Balam /ˈbeɪləm/^{[citation needed]} is a Canadian astronomer and a research associate with University of Victoria's Department of Physics and Astronomy, in Victoria, British Columbia.^{[citation needed]} Specializing in the search for Near-Earth objects, as of 1998 Balam was one of the world's most prolific contributors to this research.^[2] As of 2007, only two astronomers have had made more such discoveries than Balam.^[3] As of October 2025^[update], he is credited with the discovery or co-discovery of 108 asteroids.^[1] He has discovered over a thousand extra-galactic supernovae,^[3] and novae in the galaxy M31.^{[citation needed]} Balam is also co-credited for the 1997 discovery of Comet Zhu-Balam.^[4][5]

Among celestial bodies discovered by Balam are the asteroid 150145 Uvic, which he named for the University of Victoria,^[3] and 197856 Tafelmusik, named for the Baroque orchestra in Toronto.^[6] Currently,^[when?] Balam conducts an optical transient survey (OTS) using the 1.82-m Plaskett Telescope of the National Research Council of Canada.^{[citation needed]}

The asteroid 3749 Balam is named in his honour, recognizing the fact that he developed most of the software for the university's astrometric program on minor planets and comets.^[7]