Astronomers have been scouring the outer solar system for signs of a hypothetical ninth planet for almost a decade, without success. However, we may finally be on the cusp of finding it, experts say.
With two exceptions*, the names are from Roman mythology. So I’d expect the new planet to get a definitive name from the same template. (Please be Janus. It’s the gate of the solar system!)
*Uranus is from Greek mythology, with no good Latin equivalent. Terra is trickier; you could argue that it fits the template for Latin and the Romance languages, but most others simply use local words for soil, without a connection to the goddess. That is also called Tellus to add confusion.
It will likely be a Greek or Roman name in keeping with tradition. The IAU generally let’s the person/group that discovers have an influence in the decision but they’re the final say on the name.
What are we going to name it when it is found?
I trust we really don’t want “Planet Nine” (if we do, we should rename Earth to “Planet 3”), let alone “Planet X”. Any better ideas?
I think they should call it Nibiru to feed the conspiracy theories.
I had a roomate ten years ago who seriously believed in all that crap. Lizard people from the edge of the solar system here to claim our gold.
If Mike Brown finds it, he’ll jump all over naming it, and I’m sure that’s part of his motivation for hunting it so doggedly. He’s like that.
pluto was called planet X until it was discovered
Let’s call this one Planet Twitter, just to annoy Elon.
With two exceptions*, the names are from Roman mythology. So I’d expect the new planet to get a definitive name from the same template. (Please be Janus. It’s the gate of the solar system!)
*Uranus is from Greek mythology, with no good Latin equivalent. Terra is trickier; you could argue that it fits the template for Latin and the Romance languages, but most others simply use local words for soil, without a connection to the goddess. That is also called Tellus to add confusion.
Tellus would be a cool name for a planet, imo.
It would, indeed. I wouldn’t mind if it was the scientific/“proper” name for Earth.
I would; it’s too close to Telus (but pronounced the same), a terrible phone company where I live.
How do you pronounce the company name? For reference, Latin “Tellus” would be /tɛllu:s/; the nearest English equivalent would be “TELL loos”, I guess.
Tell-us, so more like it looks I guess.
It will likely be a Greek or Roman name in keeping with tradition. The IAU generally let’s the person/group that discovers have an influence in the decision but they’re the final say on the name.