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August 13, 2003
Nomenclature Wars
So you think you know a bit about astronomy? Obviously you'll know the names of the planets, and you probably know where the Kuiper Belt is, and where the Trojan asteroids are. You may even know where the L5 point in the Earth-Moon system is. But do you know what a Plutino is? How about an EKO? A cubewano?
This Space.com article explains that all these odd names have appeared as astronomers have found out not just how many bits of rock are out there, but also how tremendously complex and diverse their interactions are. Suddenly just naming (or numbering) individual bits of rock and ice isn't enough: you need names for groups of objects too, and there are a lot of them.
The fun will really start once our telescopes get good enough to resolve rocky planets and the like in other solar systems, when we get to find out whether the same groupings and classifications apply there too. I really hope I live to see the day.
Posted by John at August 13, 2003 11:25 PM
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