Editing 1981 Midas (section)

== Naming ==

This [[minor planet]] was named after the figure from Greek mythology, [[Midas]], the King of [[Phrygia]], who turned whatever he touched to gold. He received this ability as an award, but soon realized that this gift was a curse when his daughter turned into a statue after he had touched her. Relieved of his power by bathing in the river [[Pactolus]], other accounts also tell his death caused by starvation.<ref name="springer" /> The official {{MoMP|1981|naming citation}} was published by the [[Minor Planet Center]] on 15 October 1977 ({{small|[[Minor Planet Circulars|M.P.C.]] 4237}}).<ref name="DoMP-Circular-dates" />