Wednesday, November 8, 2017

A Nickname for MU69


Cosmology
Astronomy
Edward Hessler

Four billion miles (643737000 km) out there at the very distant edge of our solar system is an object designated as (486958) 2014 MU69.

NASA's New Horizons probe will be in the neighborhood January 1, 2019 and NASA wants a handle, a nickname, something much more memorable than the alphanumeric (shortened usually to MU69) for this minor planet.

At this site, you can make your suggestions and explain your reasons.

The campaign ends December 1, 2017, at 20:00 GMT (noon, Pacific Time).

And for all the information about the New Horizons mission see here.

BTW, I'm not entering. My nickname--the first one that occurred to me--will suggest why: ocarina.

Happy naming.


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