ibyf@ihlpa.UUCP (Scott) (02/03/86)
I had heard that some senator wanted to name seven of the new moons found orbiting Uranus after the seven Challenger crew members. I thought this was a fitting tribute, as well as a good idea from someone in government. (for once!) Now I see they've named 2 craters on Venus after the female crew. Does that mean they're not going to name the moons after them? I'd hate to see the moons have names like rf04dvx. Anybody know anything else? Dave Scott ihnp4!ihlpa!ibyf Great! I'm about to get killed a million miles from no where with a gung-ho iguana telling me to relax!
lmc@cisden.UUCP (Lyle McElhaney) (02/08/86)
> Does that mean they're not going to name the moons after them? I'd hate > to see the moons have names like rf04dvx. > The suggestion was in the form of a resolution in congress to the effect that the American representative to the International Astronomical Union lobby for the naming of the moons. They already have numeric names (don't have them handy) that are bestowed by the discoverer (someone in JPL, I presume). The IAU assigns official "common" names to all planets, planet features and other extraterran items. When the IAU names them, they will be pronouncable; whether they will be familiar to you and me is another question. Lyle McElhaney ...hao!cisden!lmc