IAU Posts 227 Official Star Names

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Stargrrl
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IAU Posts 227 Official Star Names

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Now that they are finished abusing poor Pluto, the International Astronomical Union is working on a project to officially recognize the names of well-known stars, by working through a wide range of historical and cultural references. They've just published their first official list of 227 star names. As usual, they've done some annoying things, like renaming Alpha Centauri "Rigil Kentaurus."

"In 2016, the IAU mobilised the Working Group on Star Names (WGSN)...whose purpose was to formally catalogue the names of stars, beginning with the brightest and best-known. The Working Group is composed of an assortment of astronomers from all over the world who bring different perspectives and experience to its decisions.

"Historically, the IAU has only ever approved the names of 14 stars, in connection with the naming of exoplanets. There were two catalysts for the creation of the WGSN: the undertaking by the IAU to involve the international astronomical community in naming newly discovered exoplanets and their host stars, and a formal commitment to ensuring that astronomical heritage is preserved.

"'Since the IAU is already adopting names for exoplanets and their host stars, it has been seen as necessary to catalogue the names for stars in common use from the past, and to clarify which ones will be official from now on,' says Eric Mamajek, chair and organiser of the WGSN."

Read more about it here: https://www.iau.org/news/pressreleases/detail/iau1603/

And scroll down on this page for the first official list: https://www.iau.org/public/themes/naming_stars/
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