2023 Author: Bryan Walter | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 22:24
The object chosen for Russia is the HAT-P-3 star in the constellation Ursa Major
The International Astronomical Union announced the beginning of the NameExoWorlds competition, during which residents of 70 countries will be able to name the planetary systems chosen by astronomers. Each of the participating countries has appointed an ad hoc committee to oversee the selection of the name. According to the project's website, in Russia the name will be given to the orange dwarf HAT-P-3 and the HAT-P-3b revolving around it: they are in the constellation Ursa Major.
New astronomical objects most often receive standard names, which usually include the serial number of the body (if, for example, several of them were discovered in the work of astronomers) and the year of its discovery. Names of especially large or important bodies are chosen through competitions organized by various astronomical organizations. Thus, the participants of the first NewExoWorlds competition, which is organized by the International Astronomical Union, in 2015 named 14 stars and 31 exoplanets revolving around them.
Within the framework of the second NewExoWorlds competition, names will be given to planetary systems: stars and planets revolving around them. For each participating country, astronomers have selected a system that can be seen from its territory using an amateur telescope.
Russia got the orange dwarf HAT-P-3 in the constellation Ursa Major, as well as the orbiting planet HAT-P-3b, a hot Jupiter discovered in 2007. A complete list of the bodies selected for the competition can be found here.
The campaigns for the selection of names for objects of planetary systems will take place from June to November this year: specially selected commissions will lead them, and the final choice will be carried out by voting. As for the rules, the objects of planetary systems should bear the names of important geographical, cultural or historical personalities and objects. The results of the competition will be announced in December.
The International Astronomical Union is also known for the first dictionary of astronomical terms for 30 sign languages. You can read about it in our article.
