Vulcan and Cerberus proposed as names for Pluto moons
FEB 27, 2013
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.026803
Los Angeles Times : Vulcan and Cerberus were the top two contenders in a recent international poll to name two moons of Pluto. The poll was conducted by the team that discovered the moons. Team leader Mark Showalter, a planetary astronomer working at the SETI Institute , said the group sought names from Greek mythology and associated with Hades and the underworld. “Vulcan” was proposed by William Shatner, the actor who portrayed Captain James T. Kirk on the TV series Star Trek. Although he chose the name because it is the home planet of Kirk’s first officer and best friend, Mr. Spock, Vulcan meets Showalter’s naming criteria by also being the nephew of Pluto. “Cerberus,” which was nominated by SETI, is the hound that guards the underworld ruled by Pluto. The final decision rests with the International Astronomical Union.
© 2013 American Institute of Physics
