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

From: Mike Reynolds <agelessness_at_meteoritecentral.com>
Date: Wed Aug 3 15:33:22 2005
Message-ID: <BAY104-F399840F5066638455D5745AEC50_at_phx.gbl>

Hi Darren,
I suggested Mianus for it's comical value and Revolution #9 because Pluto's
not really a planet and The Beatles deserve it.
Best Regards,
Mike Reynolds IMCA#8127


Message: 6
Date: Wed, 03 Aug 2005 12:57:54 -0400
From: Darren Garrison <cynapse_at_charter.net>
Subject: Re: [meteorite-list] Astronomers to Decide What Makes a
        Planet
To: meteorite-list_at_meteoritecentral.com (Meteorite Mailing List)
Message-ID: <5pt1f1p25oajj5jj0bjr8ghqsvctkq71mo_at_4ax.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

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.
Received on Wed 03 Aug 2005 03:33:12 PM PDT