Every high school had them. Back in the day, they were easy to spot: they had slide rules sticking out of their binders. Some even had tiny slide rule tie clasps.
They were the Bill Nyes of all ages, the Science Guys, often found hanging around the chemistry lab or the AV room. They were smart and they knew stuff, and now they run NASA and other agencies that are probing space and all the galaxies, while the rest of us are sitting around trying to figure out new ways of lacing our sneakers.
AND NOW...they are turning to us for help, and I think it's little enough to ask that we give them a hand naming the 20 exoplanetary systems that this Webb telescope has found.
To get us started, I looked up "exoplanetary," because that word is not a part of my standard lexicon. An exoplanet is a planet beyond our solar system. So this big telescope is peeping on exoplanetary systems, which are outside planets and their host stars (like Jimmy Fallon or Jimmy Kimmel). And all of these new discoveries have to be named.
Accordingly, the International Astronomical Union, the fun people who name celestial objects, started the NameExoWorlds 2022 Competition so that you and I and the people who just moved in around the corner have a chance to christen these new exoplanetary systems seen by the telescope.
The IAU (it would be funnier if the acronym were IOU, but these are serious people) wants you to set up a team to work together. We have to create teams of teachers, students, astronomy enthusiasts, or professional or amateur astronomers.
And then, after a team chooses names for one exoplanet and its host star, they have to hold a community outreach event to teach the public about exoplanets. And THEN the team gets to submit a written and video proposal detailing the chosen name and reasons why it should be chosen.
These being busy people, they are not about to sit around watching feature-film length videos or reading long essays. The video has to be three minutes or less, and the essay can't be more than 300 words. They also want a report (<300 words) on the public outreach event, with photos or videos.
The names submitted should have "long-standing cultural, geographic or historical significance." You can submit an indigenous name, but only if your team leader is a member of an Indigenous community.
Better get going, rounding up your squad: names are due by November 11. The winner will be introduced at a huge event hosted by Tony Orlando next March.
Due to an almost total lack of interest on my part, I will not be participating in this contest, so you can have my star name ideas if you wish to enter:
- Ringo Star
- X. O. Planet
- Star Bores
- Mars Bar
- Little Earth
- Houston Astros
- McPlanet
- The Carson Daly Planet
- You Bet Your Astronomy
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