Astronomers in Hawaii Discover Giant Planet

[TomK]

The first exoplanets were discovered in 1992 although they were orbiting a pulsar (a neutron star) which was quite a surprise. The first exoplanet discovered orbiting a main sequence star, i.e., a "normal" star, was in 1995, so yes, this is still pretty new stuff.

[Tink]

I somehow don't think the new planet will have a Hawaiian name. Too bad, would have been very honorable, cool, and a nice feather in Hawaii's hat.

Community begins with Aloha

[TomK]

Tink - I don't think any exoplanets have been given names, but if you have some ideas, please provide a few thousand suggestions. []

[TomK]

OK, just checked. The least massive exoplanet has been given the name "Draugr". Please don't ask me how to pronounce it. So I think the list of names has been reduced by 1 and only 3,436 more are needed (*).

(*) At the time of writing of course.

PS. "Brexit" would be a good name I think, at least for any exoplanet discovered tonight.

[Lodestone]

quote:

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Originally posted by TomK

Tink - I don't think any exoplanets have been given names, but if you have some ideas, please provide a few thousand suggestions. []

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I understand "Boaty McBoatface" is a popular name. Perhaps "Brexit McBrexface". []
...currently somewhere in the Baltic Sea, headed for the UK. I'll say hi for you Tom.

[Tink]

I guess in science it is still a number on a discovery, for the most part. Although sometimes they will get a name I see. Draugr seems so science fiction/Star Trek ( loved the original BTW!), Brexit, is alright (no offense!), but somehow tying this exoplanet to where it was discovered would be special. "Mamau Hoku", or "distant star" came to my mind, but the team that discovered it will have to pick. Only 3,435 to go!

Community begins with Aloha

[TomK]

"I understand "Boaty McBoatface" is a popular name. Perhaps "Brexit McBrexface".
...currently somewhere in the Baltic Sea, headed for the UK. I'll say hi for you Tom."

For those that don't understand the Boaty McBoatface reference, this should help:

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/22/world/...ecide.html

Enjoy the cruise and the UK, Lodestone, that's if the border agents allow you in. Johnny Foreigners don't seem to be too popular right now. []

[TomK]

Sigh. This is what the IAU have to say about naming exoplanets:

http://www.iau.org/public/themes/naming_exoplanets/