Published , Modified Abstract on Names for New Pluto Moons Accepted Original source
Names for New Pluto Moons Accepted
Pluto, the dwarf planet located at the edge of our solar system, has five known moons. In 2011 and 2012, two additional moons were discovered by the Hubble Space Telescope. These moons were initially named P4 and P5, but in 2013, they were officially named Kerberos and Styx. This article will explore the discovery of these two new moons and the process of naming them.
The Discovery of Kerberos and Styx
In 2011 and 2012, astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope discovered two new moons orbiting Pluto. These moons were initially designated as P4 and P5. The discovery of these moons was significant because it provided insight into the formation and evolution of Pluto's moon system.
Kerberos, the fourth moon of Pluto, was discovered in July 2011. It is a small moon with a diameter estimated to be between 13 and 34 kilometers. Styx, the fifth moon of Pluto, was discovered in July 2012. It is also a small moon with a diameter estimated to be between 10 and 25 kilometers.
The Naming Process
After the discovery of Kerberos and Styx, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) opened up a contest to name these two new moons. The contest was open to everyone, and people from all over the world submitted their suggestions.
The IAU received over 450 entries for each moon. The entries were then reviewed by a panel of experts who narrowed down the list to a few finalists. The finalists were then presented to the public for a vote.
The names Kerberos and Styx were chosen as the winners of the contest. Kerberos was named after the three-headed dog that guards the entrance to Hades in Greek mythology. Styx was named after the river that separates Earth from the underworld in Greek mythology.
The Significance of the Names
The names Kerberos and Styx were chosen because they are both related to the underworld in Greek mythology. This is significant because Pluto, the dwarf planet that these moons orbit, is named after the Roman god of the underworld.
The naming of these two moons also follows a tradition of naming celestial bodies after characters from mythology. This tradition dates back to the early days of astronomy when astronomers named planets and stars after gods and goddesses.
Conclusion
The discovery of Kerberos and Styx has provided valuable insight into the formation and evolution of Pluto's moon system. The process of naming these two new moons was a collaborative effort that involved people from all over the world. The names Kerberos and Styx were chosen because they are both related to the underworld in Greek mythology, which is significant because Pluto is named after the Roman god of the underworld.
FAQs
Q: How many moons does Pluto have?
A: Pluto has five known moons.
Q: When were Kerberos and Styx discovered?
A: Kerberos was discovered in July 2011, and Styx was discovered in July 2012.
Q: What were Kerberos and Styx initially named?
A: Kerberos and Styx were initially designated as P4 and P5.
Q: How were Kerberos and Styx named?
A: The International Astronomical Union opened up a contest to name these two new moons. The names Kerberos and Styx were chosen as the winners of the contest.
Q: Why were Kerberos and Styx named after characters from Greek mythology?
A: Kerberos and Styx were named after characters from Greek mythology because they are both related to the underworld, which is significant because Pluto is named after the Roman god of the underworld.
This abstract is presented as an informational news item only and has not been reviewed by a subject matter professional. This abstract should not be considered medical advice. This abstract might have been generated by an artificial intelligence program. See TOS for details.