As an amateur astronomer, Dirk Klinkenberg discovered the great comet of 1744 (C/1743 X1) which showed six tails on its aparation, was studied to greater detail by Philippe Loys de Chéseaux and abserved by many astronomers of that time, including the young Charles Messier. He is also the discoverer of the comet of 1762 (C/1762 K1).

Dirk Klinkenberg was honored by the naming of asteroid (10427) Klinkenberg, discovered on September 24, 1960 by C.J. van Houten, I. van Houten-Groeneveld and T. Gehrels from Palomar Observatory, and provisionally designated 2017 P-L. On an independent finding it also got the provisional designation 1980 TT6.

Thanks to Fabio Zugno for contributing data on Dirk Klinkenberg!