[meteorite-list] Astronomers to Decide What Makes a Planet

From: Sterling K. Webb <kelly_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed Aug 3 13:53:20 2005
Message-ID: <42F1046A.F86C6A17_at_bhil.com>

Hi, Darren,

    Brown wanted Persephone, too. But it's taken, years ago, by a MINOR planet.

    ORCUS, a Greek name for the Afterlife is already taken by another really big KBO, 2000DW. Eurydice?
Elysium? Minos? Hades? The Underworld names seems too negative for a happy object. They may all be
taken by the 240,000 minor planets, some of whom are named for members of this List.

    Brown has been searching for years. I'll bet he long ago figured out a good name for the Whopper
when he found it. We'll see.

Sterling
----------------------------------------------
Darren Garrison wrote:

> I suggested Persephone.
>
> http://www.newscientistspace.com/channel/solar-system/dn7776
>
> Join the battle of the planet names
> 12:51 02 August 2005
> NewScientist.com news service
> Sean O'Neill
>
> Imagine your excitement if you discovered a new planet. The privilege of suggesting its name would
> be yours. But what would you call it, and why?
>
> We want you to send us your idea and the reason you chose it and we'll let you know the best. But
> read on if you need inspiration.
>
> The person facing the planet-naming conundrum for real is Caltech astronomer Mike Brown. He and his
> team found our solar system???s tenth planet, which is larger than Pluto and currently three times
> farther from the Sun.
>
> The new world has been designated 2003 UB313 by the Minor Planet Center, but Brown has already
> suggested a more catchy name to a 15-member panel at the International Astronomical Union, who will
> make the final decision. The name in question is currently being kept strictly under wraps.
>
> Brown's team had been calling the planet Xena, after TV???s Warrior Princess. "But that was our
> tongue-in-cheek internal name, never intended for public consumption," he admits. Perhaps his
> newborn daughter, Lilah, has offered further inspiration ??? Brown's website on the new planet is
> called www.lilahsplanet.com.
>
> Gods and characters from classical mythology have most frequently provided names for solar system
> worlds, but that need not stifle your creativity. And you may wish to bear in mind these official
> guidelines:
>
> ??? Names should be pronounceable, non-offensive, 16 characters or less in length and preferably one
> word
>
> ??? Names should not be too similar to an existing name of a minor planet or natural planetary
> satellite
>
> ??? Names for persons or events known primarily for their military or political activities are
> acceptable only after 100 years elapsed since the person died or the event occurred
>
> ??? Names of a purely or principally commercial nature are not allowed
>
> ??? Names of pet animals are discouraged
>
> So please send us your proposed name and your reasons for picking it and we will publish the best,
> whether they be serious, intriguing, or just funny.
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Received on Wed 03 Aug 2005 01:52:42 PM PDT