We all know what Asteroids are, if we know the slightest details about astronomy. While some asteroids have single names like Vesta and Ceres, many asteroid names contain 4 digits, Two alphabets followed by a few more numbers. What do they mean?
Here’s how they name asteroids. Archived from the Lowell Observatory Website:
How do they name Asteroids?
When minor planets (asteroids) were first discovered, their given names were typically from Greek or Roman mythology and were often female. When the first Mars-crossing asteroid was discovered, it was given a male name: 433 Eros, where the 433 denotes it was the 433rd asteroid discovered. This started a pattern of female names for main-belt asteroids and male names from those with unusual orbits. As more discoveries were made, scientists realized this system could not work and a new one was devised.
The Committee for Small Body Nomenclature is responsible for designating and naming minor planets. If an object has been observed for a least two nights and can be proven to not be an already identified object, it is assigned an initial provisional designation in the form 1981 EF18.
1981: The first part is the year of discovery
E: The first letter indicates the half-month of the object’s discovery (March 16-31). See full chart below.
F18: The second letter and a numerical suffix indicate the order of discovery within that half-month. The first 25 discoveries of the half-month only receive a letter (A to Z) without a suffix, while the letter “I” is not used. Because modern techniques typically yield hundreds if not thousands of discoveries per half-month, the subscript number is appended to indicate the number of times that the letters from A to Z have cycled through. The suffix “18” indicates 18 completed cycles (18 cycles × 25 letters = 450), while F is the 6th position in the current cycle. Therefore, F18 stands for the 456th minor planet discovered in a half-month.
If enough observations are obtained to calculate an orbit, the object is assigned a sequential orbit—it’s designation—and can be cited as, for instance (8254) 1981 EF18.
Alternate Names
The asteroid’s discoverer can propose to the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to give the asteroid a formal name. The IAU has set the following guidelines for naming minor planets:
- 16 characters long, or less;
- One word, if possible;
- Pronounceable, non-offensive and not too similar to names of other minor planets or natural planetary satellites;
- If named after a military/political persona, 100 years must have passed since the person died or the event occurred;
- No commercial;
- Names of pets are strongly discouraged.
And there you go. Now when you see asteroid names like 2020 VV, you know what it means.
Clear Skies!
Source: Lowerll Observatory » Space Guard Academy Exhibit Pages »
This Web Page was archived onto PAAC website because the source page went missing and now returns a 404 error