R2OK!

Cherskiy · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:13 pm Post subject: We have one - Saturn now has 60

Moons, that is - the latest was discovered recently by examinations of data sent back by Cassini. At the moment it is called 'Frank', but the IAU won't allow that name to stand.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/6908190.stm
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Lord Evan Elpuss · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 3417 Location: Cloud Cuckoo Land

Wouldn't a better name have been 'Harvey' or perhaps Alfie'?! Laughing

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Lord Evan Elpuss, Your ideal job is a Lumberjack.

Red Baron · Joined: 30 Mar 2007 Posts: 120

Well, Herschel wasn't allowed to call his planet discovery 'George' - had to give it the more respectable name 'Uranus'. The kids in school love the story of his death! Shocked

RB

Cherskiy · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 9:08 pm Post subject:

2003 UB313, the largest KBO found so far to date (estimated to be slightly bigger than 134340 Pluto - yes, that's now it's official IAU name!) was nicknamed "Xena" by its discoverer - the IAU have now named it 136199 Eris.

2005 FY9 is still unofficially known as "Easter Bunny" but will be given a deity name to go with its catchy official number of 136472.

2003 EL61 is still unofficially known as "Santa", but again will eventually get a IAU approved name to go with its number, 136108.

There are actually conventions used for the naming of KBOs, "dwarf planets" and asteroids - Asteroid 2309 is indeed officially called 2309 Mr Spock. I kid you not.
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Author: “To the Ends of the Earth: A Snapshot of Aviation in North-Eastern Siberia, Summer 1992”
(Free to read via Kindle Unlimited)