Why are new planet names so boring? How would you expect anyone to imagine anything about a planet like ZM45-2 (just a random name I came up with) when it sounds like a file on my PC I would never bother to open? I get that there is a whole convenient system for naming them but they certainly could do to be more creative. Scientists and people with enough equipment wouldn't be bothered as much since they get to see the planets directly but for people like us, even googling a planet named that way is not in the least tempting. Throw us a bone here!
That was what I felt until I found out about IAU's "Name Exoplanets Campaign" last December. I'm proud to inform you that we have a Nakambé out there. And in the spirit of Anne Shirley, that really does offer a much better scope for imagination doesn't it?
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My Book Of Randomness
RandomWhere do you go when you have a lot of stuff to say but can't write a whole book about it? The book of randomness!
