Asteroid named after Egyptian scientist Farouk El Baz: The World Astronomical Union of the United Nations named a newly-discovered asteroid, El-Baz, after the Egyptian astronomer Farouk El-Baz in recognition of his scientific contributions, according to the local press. El-Baz worked with Nasa on the Apollo project to explore the surface of the moon in the 1960s. This is not the first time the Egyptian space scientist was recognized by something named after him: El-Baz was also honored by Star Trek, with the naming of a shuttle pod.