The latest bulletin published by the Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) honored several people for their contributions to promoting astronomy and its instrumentation. Among them, three are linked to the Vatican Observatory: Father Paul R. Mueller, Sister Raffaella Petrini, and Father Giuseppe Koch. Three asteroids discovered using the VATT (Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope), the Observatory's telescope located at more than 3,000 meters on Mount Graham, near Tucson, Arizona, have been dedicated to them. These new asteroids were discovered by K. Černis and Father R.P. Boyle, a Jesuit of the Vatican Observatory.

Asteroid (864404) Paulmueller, previously designated 2014 YB43, was discovered on December 27, 2014, with the VATT. The name honors Fr. Paul R. Mueller, an American Jesuit who worked as a researcher and assistant director of the Vatican Observatory from 2015 to 2022.

The second asteroid, (651168) Petrini, formerly 2012 WZ41, was discovered on November 24, 2012, with the VATT. The name honors Sister Raffaella Petrini, of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, for her commitment to supporting the Foundation responsible for the telescope in Arizona.

(864938) Giuseppekoch, formerly 2015 DK16, discovered on January 17, 2015, with the VATT, is dedicated to Fr. Giuseppe Koch, an Italian Jesuit. From 2002 to 2009, Koch served as assistant director of the Vatican Observatory and was responsible for relocating the Observatory to its new home in Albano Laziale.

In its history of more than thirty years, the VATT has identified a thousand new asteroids and continues to be an instrument of international significance, helping us discover our place in the Universe.