IAU to partner with astronomy groups to name exoplanets
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.028086
Ars Technica : When exoplanets are discovered, they are given official designations that follow rules defined by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). However, those names are often unwieldy combinations of letters and numbers. Last year the IAU’s Public Naming of Planets and Planetary Satellites Working Group recommended that exoplanets be given “popular” names that follow the rules for naming minor planets in the solar system. Now the IAU has announced that it is working with Zooniverse , a group that promotes citizen science, to manage the choosing of names for 305 known exoplanets. Astronomy clubs and other related groups may register to provide name suggestions for 20 to 30 planets. Then, the general public will be able to rank the suggestions on the NameExoWorlds website.
