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Name sought for new planet...

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News source: AFP

Debate has begun on what to call the solar system's newly-discovered 10th planet.

The planet's discovery was announced last week by a team led by US astronomer Mike Brown of the California Institute of Technology.

The planet is currently called 2003 UB313 but Mr Brown has 10 years in which to think of a catchier name and have it approved by a panel of the International Astronomical Union (IAU).

British magazine New Scientist is calling on readers to help Mr Brown out.

Should it be named after a Greek or Roman god? A great scientist or artist?

How about calling it after a character in the Star Wars film series? Or your best friend?

Mr Brown, who is a fan of TV's Warrior Princess, has given the frozen orb 15 billion kilometres from Earth the informal name of Xena.

"But that was our tongue-in-cheek internal name, never intended for public consumption," Mr Brown told the magazine.

Under the IAU's nomenclature guidelines, names should be pronounceable, non-offensive, 16 characters or less in length and preferably one word.

Names should not be too similar to an existing name of a minor planet or natural planetary satellite.

In addition, names for persons or events known primarily for their military or political activities are acceptable only after 100 years have elapsed since the person died or the event occurred.

Commercial names are not allowed and the names of pet animals are discouraged.

So... How would YOU name it?

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Hail the 10th planet of the o so jolly solar system!

We will name it... mmmm

Isn't there arhyme that you say.. soemthign about mother's.. which the 1st letter of every word is the 1st letter of the actually sollar system...

"My Very Easy Memory Jingle Seems Useful Naming Planets... is one... but not the one I remember :S

So whatever would finish off the rhyme.. that's good enough for me tongue.gif

So it would be... Naming Planets Names (so the planet will start with a "N" I bet!) tongue.gif

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In astrology, some folks have always insisted that the 10th planet is Vulcan, and the 11th would be Apollo. Once these appear, Virgo and Taurus will finally have their own, dedicated ruling planet - not a bad deal for me with my huge virgo and taurus influences. laugh.gif

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George W Bush, for the greatest leader to ever live!

X would be a good name, since it is mysterious and is also the roman numeral for 10.

In astrology, some folks have always insisted that the 10th planet is Vulcan, and the 11th would be Apollo. Once these appear, Virgo and Taurus will finally have their own, dedicated ruling planet - not a bad deal for me with my huge virgo and taurus influences.  laugh.gif

If there are no further planets to be found, my vote is: Planet X. Like being alive for the lamest, most over-hyped change of millenium in history, I hope I live to see it happen.

If the are planets beyond the-as-yet-to-be-named-celestial-body, then we should keep with tradition and astrological continuity.

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