Named for the great Greek philosopher Leukippos, born around 450 B.C., probably at Miletus, on the west coast of Asia Minor. His main concern was to harmonize Ionic cosmology with Greek ontology. Although it was Demokritos {see planet  (6129)} who brilliantly elaborated many of his ideas, the atomistic theory of matter originated with Leukippos. Only a few fragments of his work remain, and these show that he made a clear distinction between empty space and matter. (M 24918) _ _.