Have you ever thought how asteroids, planets, meteors get their names and if you could get to name it.
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has now decided to give you that rare chance.
The Union has announced a worldwide contest to name one of Earth's quasi-moons.
advertisementIf a quasi-moon is near the Earth, it might seem as if we have a new moon, even though it is hardly affected by the Earth's gravitational pull.
Participants are encouraged to submit creative and unique names that adhere to the IAU's naming conventions and relate to the science of quasi-moons.
Have you ever thought how asteroids, planets, meteors get their names and if you could get to name it. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has now decided to give you that rare chance.
The Union has announced a worldwide contest to name one of Earth's quasi-moons.
Quasi-moons are asteroids that orbit the Sun in a path similar to Earth's, appearing to orbit our planet from an Earth-based perspective. Due to the relative motion of the two objects, it appears as though the asteroid is orbiting the planet from the perspective of an observer on the planet’s surface.
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If a quasi-moon is near the Earth, it might seem as if we have a new moon, even though it is hardly affected by the Earth's gravitational pull.
This unique opportunity, open until September 30, invites people from across the globe to suggest names that could receive official recognition by the IAU.
The contest, titled "Name a Quasi-Moon!", aims to engage a global audience with astronomy and highlight the deep connections people have with celestial objects.
This initiative was inspired by Radiolab co-host Latif Nasser's successful petition to the IAU to name a Venusian quasi-moon earlier this year. The story, which went viral, sparked widespread interest in these fascinating astronomical objects.
The contest will unfold in four phases. After the submission period closes on September 30, a panel of experts will select 10 finalists in October. A public vote in November and December will determine the winning name, which will be officially announced in mid-January 2025.
"We're excited to bring people together around something that unites us across timezones, national borders, languages, and all manner of differences – our shared sky," said Nasser. He expressed enthusiasm about engaging a global audience in the joy and wonder of science through this naming opportunity.
Participants are encouraged to submit creative and unique names that adhere to the IAU's naming conventions and relate to the science of quasi-moons.
This contest offers a rare chance for individuals to leave their mark on the cosmos, with the winning name receiving official recognition from the world's authority on astronomical nomenclature.
