Naming a newly discovered celestial object is a highly regulated and formal process. Celestial bodies receive two distinct forms of identification: a systematic, technical designation used for cataloging and a common, proper name. The technical designation is often an alphanumeric code, such as HD 209458 b, which provides precise coordinates. The proper name, like Mars or Jupiter, is the familiar label used in public discourse. This dual system ensures both scientific clarity and broad accessibility for the growing inventory of the cosmos.
The International Astronomical Union’s Role
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) is the single, internationally recognized authority responsible for assigning official names and designations to all celestial bodies and their surface features. This centralized control prevents confusion if multiple astronomers used different names for the same object. The IAU ensures that nomenclature remains consistent across all scientific publications and global mapping efforts.
This authority is delegated to specialized groups within the IAU structure. The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature (WGPSN), for example, handles the naming of planets, moons, dwarf planets, and their surface features. The IAU acts as the global arbiter, ensuring that naming conventions follow established scientific and cultural guidelines.
Naming Conventions for Solar System Bodies
The process for naming objects inside our solar system is steeped in historical tradition, primarily drawing from mythology. Major planets, except Earth, use names derived from Roman and Greek deities, such as Venus and Mars. This mythological theme extends to larger moons, where Jupiter’s moons are often named after figures associated with the god in mythology.
For newly confirmed objects, discoverers propose a name that fits the established thematic rules for that class of body. Dwarf planets beyond Neptune, for instance, are named after creator deities from various mythologies, such as Makemake or Haumea. Before a permanent name is adopted, a newly found body is given a provisional designation, which is a temporary alphanumeric code like 2003 UB313, based on the date of its discovery.
Catalog Designations and Exoplanet Naming
Planets outside our solar system, known as exoplanets, are primarily identified through a systematic catalog designation distinct from mythological themes. This technical name is composed of the host star’s designation followed by a lowercase letter. For example, 51 Pegasi b is the first exoplanet discovered orbiting the star 51 Pegasi.
The host star’s designation comes from various astronomical catalogs, such as those from discovery missions like Kepler or WASP, or historical catalogs like the Henry Draper (HD) catalog. The lowercase letter starts with ‘b’ to denote the planet, with the star itself considered ‘A’. Subsequent planets are labeled sequentially with ‘c’, ‘d’, and so on, in order of their discovery. While these alphanumeric codes serve as the official IAU scientific name for most exoplanets, some systems have received common proper names through specific public initiatives.
Opportunities for Public Involvement
While the public cannot simply submit a name for a newly found planet or moon and expect it to be made official, the IAU offers sanctioned paths for participation. The organization occasionally runs official public naming contests, most notably the NameExoWorlds campaigns. These initiatives allow the public to propose and vote on common names for specific exoplanets and their host stars.
The winning names from these contests are then recognized by the IAU and used alongside the official scientific designation. Commercial ventures that offer to “sell” a star or planet name are not recognized by the scientific community. The only official way to have a name permanently recorded in astronomical records is through the sanctioned process overseen by the IAU.