International Astronomical Union contest gives public the chance to name quasi-moons | ABS-CBN

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International Astronomical Union contest gives public the chance to name quasi-moons

International Astronomical Union contest gives public the chance to name quasi-moons

ABS-CBN News Intern,

Acel Fernando

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The galactic center of the Milky Way galaxy, as seen from the sky above Famzi Commune in Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal, on May 10, 2024. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — To make the night sky more inclusive and reflective of the world’s diverse cultures and perspectives, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and New York station WNCY’s award-winning science podcast Radiolab are offering people around the globe the opportunity to name one of Earth’s quasi-moons.

“Name a Quasi-Moon!", invites participants to send in their entries by September 30, 2024.

The winning name will be recognized by the IAU, which is in charge of naming celestial bodies in the Solar System and beyond.

What is a Quasi-Moon?

A quasi-moon, also known as a quasi-satellite, is a celestial object that temporarily shares a planet's orbital path around the sun without being gravitationally bound to the planet.

These objects orbit the sun while being slightly influenced by the planet's gravity, resulting in a configuration known as quasi-satellite motion,The Planetary Society says on its website.

Timeline and Phases

June 1 - September 30: Open submissions (people everywhere) for name suggestions and accompanying citations via the competition website.

October: A selection panel, comprising Radiolab staff, IAU members, and guest consultants, will shortlist ten finalist names.

Early November - December: Public voting on the finalist names will determine the winner.

Mid-January 2025: The winning name will be officially announced in the Bulletin of the IAU Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature (WGSBN).

The selection criteria for the finalist names include adherence to the WGSBN’s naming conventions, creativity, uniqueness, and relevance to the science of quasi-moons as detailed in the citation.

By participating in this contest, people worldwide can contribute to the astronomical community, ensuring that the sky above us represents the richness and diversity of global ideas and cultures. 

More details and the contest rules available here.

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