An international asteroid, designated by the number 470341, has been formally christened the "Pan Jianwei Star" following approval from the International Astronomical Union's Committee on Small Body Nomenclature and the issuance of an official public bulletin.

The distinction honors Professor Pan Jianwei's pioneering experimental achievements in multi-particle entanglement and interference, alongside his foundational work in free-space quantum transmission. These breakthroughs have laid the critical groundwork that made the realization of wide-area quantum communication networks and the demonstration of quantum computing superiority possible.

The naming process was initiated upon the recommendation of the Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation Selection Committee, with an application submitted by the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Following the formal approval and public announcement, the celestial body now permanently bears the name "Pan Jianwei Star."

A dedicated naming ceremony took place on September 11 at the University of Science and Technology of China, held just after the institution's opening ceremony for the new academic term.

During the event, Professor Pan expressed his perspective on the honor, stating that he prefers to regard the "Pan Jianwei Star" not as a personal accolade but as a symbol belonging to the entire Chinese quantum technology research community and to the university.

"What this star carries is the collective journey of scientific exploration that our team has walked together," he remarked. "It also serves as a microcosm of the continuous development and progress of our nation's quantum technology endeavors."