Space & Astronomy

Scientists seek help naming Pluto's moons

By T.K. Randall
February 12, 2013 ·  36 comments

Image Credit: NASA The discoveries were made during observations designed to check that the way was clear for the New Horizons probe which is scheduled to reach Pluto in 2015. Currently nicknamed "P4" and "P5", the two new moons might not be very large ( 15 to 20 miles across ) but they do need new names. The astronomical teams behind their discovery has decided to let the public help pick what to call them.

12 potential names have been suggested, all of which based around Greek or Roman mythological figures connected to the underworld. The options available on the "Pluto Rocks" project website are Acheron, Alecto, Cerberus, Erebus, Eurydice, Heracles, Hypnos, Lethe, Obol, Orpheus, Persephone and Styx.[!gad]The discoveries were made during observations designed to check that the way was clear for the New Horizons probe which is scheduled to reach Pluto in 2015. Currently nicknamed "P4" and "P5", the two new moons might not be very large ( 15 to 20 miles across ) but they do need new names. The astronomical teams behind their discovery has decided to let the public help pick what to call them.

12 potential names have been suggested, all of which based around Greek or Roman mythological figures connected to the underworld. The options available on the "Pluto Rocks" project website are Acheron, Alecto, Cerberus, Erebus, Eurydice, Heracles, Hypnos, Lethe, Obol, Orpheus, Persephone and Styx.

Source: NBC News | Comments (36)

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