Quixote, Rocinante, Sancho, Dulcinea, Lich, Draugr, Poltergeist or Phobetor… These are the names of literary characters, but also the names of the exoplanets and stars of the universe. Names we humans use to baptize different celestial bodies. Almost all seas, rivers or mountains on our planet have names chosen by the first civilizations. But the same thing happens with things floating above our heads. And here, in space exploration, it is our generation that has the most decision-making power.

And who is responsible for such an interesting task? this International Astronomical Union (IAU), the body responsible for planetary nomenclature. To do this, they consult hundreds of encyclopedias, astrological dictionaries, and references from all cultures. They try to do it meticulously choose which myths are used for each celestial body. For example, Jupiter’s volcanic moon Io was dedicated to the gods of fire and thunder, as well as characters from Hell’s Hell. divine comedy, as discussed in this article on El País. Europe uses Celtic myths. And Ganymede, one of the Mesopotamian gods and heroes.

However, sometimes this task is reserved for public participation. Yes, through a public tender, The organization invites citizens to cooperate in the baptism of planets outside our solar system, exoplanets. This year, up to 20 targets for the James Webb Telescope will be named after ideas from anyone who wishes to contribute. You can find out more about the NameExoWorlds 2022 campaign here.

McLovin? Homer Simpson? Chuck Norris? Lionel Messi?

They could easily be exoplanet names. Let’s remember that the name of the star Mu Arae was changed to Cervantes with a similar competition in 2016. And the four planets surrounding it (mu Arae b,c,dye) they were called Quixote, Rocinante, Sancho and Dulcinea.. The names were suggested by the Pamplona Planetarium and received the most votes. NameExoWorlds of that year.

Pop culture in every star

The names Internet users gave to the stars and exoplanets of the NameExoWorlds contest during these years ranged from the dragon Fafnir (star 42 Draconis) to astronomers Copernicus (Star 55 Cancri), Galileo or Brahe (55 Cancri planets B and C, respectively). ). Suffice it to say that it has the star PSR 1257+12 (a dead but still active sun) and three planets. ghosts were named, zombies and undead like Lich, Draugr, Poltergeist and Phobetor. Alexandrian philosopher Hypatia, exoplanet Edasich B.

But this is not the first time we use the names of literary characters to name celestial bodies. Uranus’ 27 moons in our solar system are named after characters from Shakespeare’s works (and a poem by Alexander Pope): Hamlet, Macbeth or King Lear, For example. And the Miranda satellite contains references to Romeo and Juliet.

Names of 14 stars and 31 exoplanets confirmed by the IAU.

You can view the chart at its maximum resolution. here.

Naming and mythology of planets

The fact is that this popular turnout has not always existed. Since the 17th century, many cartographers have proposed the nomenclature, as discussed in the article by science journalist Rafael Clemente. For example, Galileo named the moons of Jupiter “Medicean stars”, referring to Cosimo II de’ Medici. Thomas Harriot put “Britain” on one of the moon plains. And royal cosmographer Michael van Langren suggested the national names for Philip III’s Spain: from the Philippine Ocean to the Austrian Sea and numerous court figures.

The same goes for Mars. based on places from classical antiquity: “Land of Gold” (Chryse), classical Greece (Hellas) or magic fountain (Acidalia). Also the Nix Olympica or Coprates channel. Recently, the UAI decided to name the craters of Mercury in homage to plastic artists, musicians. and writers of all ages.