The James Webb Space Telescope has been getting attention within the science community ever since its successful launch in December of last year. Pumping out photos of the cosmos in higher definition than ever before possible, the successor to the Hubble Space telescope has scientists fawning over its every snapshot.
Now the public has an opportunity to name some of the astral bodies being photographed by the cutting-edge telescope. However, there are some ground rules participants will first have to adhere to.
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Office for Astronomy Outreach, the International Astronomical Union is hosting NameExoWorlds 2022. Dedicated to bringing professional astronomers and the public together, the competition is giving the public a chance to name 20 selected exoplanets and their corresponding stars.
“In the last decade, the OAO has strived to build bridges between professionals, amateurs, communicators, educators, and the public,” Lina Canas, Director of the IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach, said in a press release. “Through its collaborative nature and diverse levels of scientific engagement, NameExoWorlds is one excellent example that embodies OAO’s mission of making astronomy accessible to all.”
The union has released a series of requirements for those interested in participating, which can be found below.
- Create a team that brings together students and teachers, astronomy enthusiasts, and amateur and professional astronomers.
- Conduct an astronomy outreach event related to exoplanets.
- Choose a system from the 20 ExoWorlds on the list.
- Propose a name for the exoplanet and its host star in your language and provide an explanation of the cultural context.
- Register your team and submit your naming proposal (written format + video) (via this form)
A two-step process will be conducted to consider each proposal. First, a national selection panel will select a national candidate and two backup names. Then, a final selection committee will consider the remaining candidates and select a name for each heavenly body.
