Hencke

Hencke is a surname of German origin. It is borne by individuals in various fields and has appeared in historical records and contemporary contexts. The name is primarily associated with Germany and German-speaking regions, but has spread to other countries through migration and cultural contact.

Karl Ludwig Hencke was a German amateur astronomer who contributed to the early study of minor planets. He is best known for discovering the asteroid 5 Astraea in 1845. Astraea, named after the Greek goddess of justice, was the fifth asteroid to be discovered and marked a continuing expansion of asteroid cataloging in the 19th century. Hencke’s achievement is cited in discussions of early amateur contributions to planetary science and the broader history of asteroid discovery.

In addition to Karl Ludwig Hencke, the surname appears in more recent historical records and contemporary contexts, carried by individuals in diverse professions. As with many German-origin surnames, Hencke may be encountered in biographical references, genealogical sources, and regional histories. The name’s significance in astronomy is primarily tied to Hencke’s 1845 discovery, which contributed to the growing catalog of small bodies in the solar system.