A Syrian-born astronomer is slated to become a U.S. citizen at a special naturalized ceremony at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Magdelena, New Mexico, AP reports.

Emmanuel Momjian and his wife Mari Jananian are scheduled Wednesday, September 21, to be naturalized. Both are from Syria and are of Armenian descent.

Momjian studies at observatory radio astronomy and various types of celestial objects, from star forming regions in the Milky Way Galaxy to distant galaxies and quasars. He also supervises students and early career astronomers, and collaborates with astronomers worldwide.

The National Radio Astronomy Observatory Very Large Array is located 50 miles west of Socorro.