(The Milky Way: Photo Credit & Copyright: Serge Brunier)
For the first time ever, the International Astronomical Union is giving the public the opportunity to name planets found outside our solar system.
The IAU, the organisation in charge of naming newly discovered cosmic objects, has created the NameExoWorlds contest which will attempt to crowd-source official names for exoplanets and stars.
Astronomers have discovered over 1800 exoplanets so far but their formal names are long, confusing and a bit boring. Now, a list of 305 well-characterised exoplanets, discovered prior to 31 December 2008, are waiting to be allocated a name.
Last year, Uwingu launched a website where the public could submit names for exoplanets and vote on their favourites, however this came at a price. Submitting a suggestion was $4.99 and to vote for your favourite cost 99 cents. Although the money was donated towards research and education, the IAU announced that the website was not able to officially sell planet names.
The IAU does accept suggestions from the scientists who discover new cosmic objects, but the organisation does have the power to overrule them. Last year, astronomers who found two new moons around Pluto allowed the public to decide their names. Vulcan, the Roman god and fictional Star Trek world, was the popular choice but the IAU vetoed the suggestion, citing a violation of its naming guidelines.
In September 2014, the International Astronomical Union will open up registration for astronomy clubs and nonprofit organisations that want to name these alien worlds. In October, members of the clubs and other groups will vote for the top 20-30 exoplanetary systems they want the chance to name. The groups, overseen by the IAU, will then submit their individual naming proposals by December. After deliberation, the competition will be open to the general public by March 2015, when you can rank and vote on the proposed names.
The winning names will be announced in August 2015.
To get involved or learn more about this exciting opportunity, click here.
The Solar System & Beyond 