When we look up at the night sky, we see objects with names that feel ancient and permanent, like Mars, Jupiter, or our own Moon. These names are part of our culture. But astronomers are discovering new objects in space all the time. We are finding new moons orbiting other planets, new dwarf planets hiding in the dark edges of our solar system, and thousands of new planets orbiting distant stars. These new objects cannot just be called "that new one." Science needs a clear, organized system. If every astronomer in every country made up their own name for a new planet, it would create total confusion. Imagine trying to share research when one scientist calls a new discovery "Planet Bob" and another calls the exact same object "Rock-25." To prevent this chaos, there is one single, official organization that is in charge of giving official names to everything in space. This group has a detailed rulebook for how this is done. The rules for naming a moon are different from the rules for naming a distant planet. So, who is this group, and what exactly are the rules they use to build our map of the universe? Who Is in Charge of Naming Space Objects? The only organization in the world that has the official power to name objects in space is the International Astronomical Union, or IAU. The IAU was founded in 1919 and is a huge international group made up of professional astronomers and space scientists from all over the world. Its main job is to promote and protect the science of astronomy through global cooperation. A very important part of that job is to be the final judge on what we call things. They create the standards so that every scientist, everywhere, is using the same name for the same object. When a new moon or planet is discovered, the IAU manages the process of giving it an official name. They are the official keepers of the sky map. This means that no person, company, or government can just decide to name a planet. They must go through the IAU's official process. What Is a Provisional Designation? Before any object gets a cool, memorable name like "Makemake" or "Io," it gets a temporary, scientific name. This is called a "provisional designation." This name is a code, and it is given as soon as the object's discovery is confirmed. This code is very important because it contains information about the discovery. For example, a name might look like "2014 MU69." This code tells astronomers that the object was discovered in the second half of June 2014. These codes are not pretty, but they are very useful for scientists to track the object. For most small objects, like the millions of asteroids, this provisional designation is the only name they will ever have. An object must be very important—like a dwarf planet or a major moon—to move on to the next step of getting a proper "public" name. The object must be studied for many years, sometimes decades, so scientists can be 100 percent sure of its exact path, or orbit, before the IAU even considers giving it a final, proper name. How Do Planets in Our Solar System Get Names? This question has two parts: the big planets we have always known, and the new "dwarf planets" we are still finding. The eight major planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—were not named by the IAU. These names are ancient. The first five (Mercury to Saturn) are visible without a telescope, so ancient civilizations, like the Romans and Greeks, saw them and named them thousands of years ago. They named them after their most important gods. Mars looks red, so they named it after their god of war. Jupiter is the biggest planet, so they named it after the king of the gods. The IAU simply adopted these traditional, historical names. The rules change for new, large objects found in our solar system. These are "dwarf planets," like Pluto. When Pluto was found in 1930, the observatory that found it had the right to suggest a name. A young girl in England named Venetia Burney suggested "Pluto," the Roman god of the underworld, which was fitting for such a dark, distant world. The observatory loved it and suggested it to the IAU, who made it official. Today, the IAU has a specific rule for new dwarf planets found far beyond Neptune: they must be named after creation gods or figures from mythologies around the world. This is why we have names like "Makemake" (from the Rapa Nui mythology of Easter Island) and "Haumea" (the Hawaiian goddess of fertility). What Are the Rules for Naming Moons? Moons, which are also called natural satellites, follow a very different and very interesting set of rules. When a new moon is found, it is also given a temporary code name first (like "S/2003 J 2"). Once its orbit is confirmed, the IAU gives it a permanent name based on a specific theme for that planet. Each planet has its own naming theme. Jupiter: Moons of Jupiter must be named after the lovers, attendants, or descendants of the Roman god Jupiter (or his Greek version, Zeus). This is why Jupiter's most famous moons are Ganymede, Callisto, Io, and Europa. Saturn: Moons of Saturn are named after the Titans. In mythology, the Titans were the generation of gods before Jupiter and his siblings. Saturn (or Cronus) was the leader of the Titans. That is why we have moons named Titan, Rhea, Iapetus, and Tethys. Uranus: This planet has a unique theme. The moons of Uranus are not named after mythology. Instead, they are named after characters from the plays of William Shakespeare and the poems of Alexander Pope. This is why its largest moons are Titania and Oberon (from A Midsummer Night's Dream), along with Miranda, Ariel, and Puck (all from Shakespeare). Neptune: Since Neptune is the Roman god of the sea, its moons must be named after figures from sea mythology. Its largest moon is Triton (a son of the sea god Poseidon), and another is Nereid (one of the Nereids, or sea nymphs). Pluto: As a dwarf planet with an underworld theme, its moons must also be related to the underworld. Its large moon is Charon (the boatman who carries souls across the river Styx). Its smaller moons are named Styx (the river itself), Nix (the goddess of night), Kerberos (the three headed dog), and Hydra (the monster). How Are Asteroids and Comets Named? Asteroids and comets are much more common discoveries, so their rules are a bit different. Comets are often called "dirty snowballs" and are usually named after the person or team that discovered them. This is why we have names like "Comet Hale-Bopp" (discovered by Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp) or "Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9" (discovered by Eugene and Carolyn Shoemaker and David Levy). If a robotic telescope or space observatory finds a comet, it is often named after that project, which is why we have so many comets named "PAN-STARRS" or "LINEAR." Asteroids, also called "minor planets," are where discoverers get a bit more freedom. After an asteroid is discovered, it gets its temporary code name. Scientists then track it for years. Once its orbit is perfectly known and it is given an official number, the person or team who discovered it gets the honor of suggesting a proper name. The IAU has a committee that reviews these suggestions. There are rules: the name cannot be offensive, it cannot be a commercial brand name (so no "Asteroid Coca-Cola"), and it cannot be the name of a pet. However, they can be named after famous scientists, artists, musicians (like asteroid 3834 Zappafrank), or even fictional characters (like asteroid 2309 Mr. Spock). The IAU committee has the final vote to approve or deny the name. What About Planets Around Other Stars (Exoplanets)? This is one of the most exciting areas of astronomy. In the last 30 years, we have confirmed the existence of thousands of planets orbiting other stars. These are called "exoplanets." These new worlds get two different types of names: a scientific name and, sometimes, a public name. The official, scientific name is very much like the code names for asteroids. It is practical, not poetic. The name is based on the star it orbits. The first exoplanet found orbiting a star called "51 Pegasi" was given the name "51 Pegasi b." In this system, the star itself is "a," so the first planet found is "b," the second is "c," the third is "d," and so on. This is the name scientists use in research papers. It immediately tells them which star system the planet belongs to and in what order it was found. This is why we have so many planets with names like "Kepler-22b" or "TRAPPIST-1e." The IAU understood that these code names are not very inspiring for the public. To help people feel more connected to these distant worlds, the IAU started a special program called "NameExoWorlds." This program allows the public to get involved. The IAU assigns a specific star and its planets to different countries. That country then holds a national campaign or contest, allowing schools, astronomy clubs, and the public to suggest and vote on a new public name. The winning name is then checked and made official by the IAU. For example, the "51 Pegasi" system was assigned to Switzerland. They chose the name "Helvetios" for the star (after a local ancient tribe) and "Dimidium" for the planet 51 Pegasi b (Latin for "half," because the planet is about half the mass of Jupiter). Can I Buy a Star or Planet Name? You will often see advertisements online from companies that offer to "sell" you the right to name a star or a new planet. They promise to put your name or a loved one's name in an official registry and send you a fancy certificate. It is very important to know that this is not real. These companies have no scientific or official authority. The IAU is the only organization that can officially name stars and planets. These private companies are just selling a piece of paper. No scientist, telescope, or space agency will ever use the name you "bought." It is a novelty gift, like buying a certificate that says you own a piece of the Moon. It is not recognized by science in any way. The only official way for the public to help name an object is to participate in one of the IAU's free, public "NameExoWorlds" campaigns. Why Are Naming Rules So Strict? It might seem like the IAU's rules are too complex or take the fun out of naming things. But these rules are essential for good science. Science depends on being clear and precise. When a scientist in Japan publishes a study about "TRAPPIST-1e," a scientist in Brazil needs to know they are talking about the exact same object. If everyone used different names, it would be impossible to share knowledge or build on each other's discoveries. The rules prevent confusion and create a single, universal language that all of humanity can use to understand the cosmos. The rules also make sure that the names given to these amazing objects are respectful, lasting, and non-commercial. Naming the sky is a serious job, and the IAU's system ensures that our map of the universe is orderly, accurate, and available to everyone. Conclusion Naming a new planet or moon is a careful and deliberate process. It is not random, and it is not for sale. The International Astronomical Union acts as the official guardian of our sky map, ensuring that every new discovery fits into a clear, global system. From the temporary code names given at discovery (provisional designations) to the strict mythological themes for moons and the exciting public campaigns for distant exoplanets, every official name has a story and a rule. This system prevents confusion and allows all of humanity to share in the wonder of discovery, using one single, common language to explore the universe. If you had the chance to name a new dwarf planet, which mythology from around the world would you choose a name from? FAQs – People Also Ask What is the IAU? The IAU, or International Astronomical Union, is the official global organization of professional astronomers. It was founded in 1919 and is the only group with the authority to give official names to planets, moons, stars, and other objects in space. Can you really name a star after someone? No, you cannot officially name a star after someone. Companies that sell star names are not recognized by the scientific community. The IAU does not sell naming rights, and no scientist will ever use a name bought from one of these registries. Why do exoplanets have names like "Kepler-22b"? This is the scientific name, or designation, for the planet. It is named after the star it orbits (in this case, "Kepler-22," which was found by the Kepler telescope). The "b" means it was the first planet found orbiting that star, "c" would be the second, and so on. How are comets named? Comets are most often named after the person, people, or team that discovered them. This is why we have names like Comet Hale-Bopp (named after its discoverers) or Comet PAN-STARRS (named after the telescope project that found it). Why are moons of Uranus named after Shakespeare characters? This is a historical tradition that the IAU decided to keep. It was started by John Herschel, the son of the planet's discoverer, in the 1800s. He felt mythology was too confusing, so he chose figures from English literature, and the rule stuck. What is a provisional designation? A provisional designation is a temporary code name given to a new object as soon as it is discovered, like "2012 VP113." This code tells scientists when it was found and helps them track it. Most small objects only ever have this code name. Do all asteroids get real names? No, most do not. There are millions of known asteroids, and most just keep their official number and provisional designation. Only the most well-studied or significant asteroids get a proper name, which is suggested by their discoverer and approved by the IAU. What kind of names are used for new dwarf planets? The IAU rule for new dwarf planets, like Pluto or Eris, is that they must be named after a god or figure related to creation from a mythology somewhere in the world. This honors global cultures, such as "Makemake" from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) mythology. How can the public help name a planet? The public can participate in the IAU's "NameExoWorlds" campaigns. For these events, the IAU assigns a specific exoplanet and its star to a country, which then runs a national contest for the public to suggest and vote on a new, official public name. Why can't I name a planet after my pet? The IAU has rules against using pet names, as well as names that are commercial, offensive, or purely political. The rules are designed to ensure that names are formal, respectful, and lasting, so they remain appropriate for scientific use for centuries.

How Do New Planets and Moons Get Their Official Names?

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When we look up at the night sky, we see objects with names that feel ancient and permanent, like Mars, Jupiter, or our own Moon. These names are part of our culture. But astronomers are discovering new objects in space all the time. We are finding new moons orbiting other planets, new dwarf planets hiding in the dark edges of our solar system, and thousands of new planets orbiting distant stars.

These new objects cannot just be called “that new one.” Science needs a clear, organized system. If every astronomer in every country made up their own name for a new planet, it would create total confusion. Imagine trying to share research when one scientist calls a new discovery “Planet Bob” and another calls the exact same object “Rock-25.” To prevent this chaos, there is one single, official organization that is in charge of giving official names to everything in space.

This group has a detailed rulebook for how this is done. The rules for naming a moon are different from the rules for naming a distant planet. So, who is this group, and what exactly are the rules they use to build our map of the universe?

Who Is in Charge of Naming Space Objects?

The only organization in the world that has the official power to name objects in space is the International Astronomical Union, or IAU. The IAU was founded in 1919 and is a huge international group made up of professional astronomers and space scientists from all over the world. Its main job is to promote and protect the science of astronomy through global cooperation. A very important part of that job is to be the final judge on what we call things. They create the standards so that every scientist, everywhere, is using the same name for the same object. When a new moon or planet is discovered, the IAU manages the process of giving it an official name. They are the official keepers of the sky map. This means that no person, company, or government can just decide to name a planet. They must go through the IAU’s official process.

What Is a Provisional Designation?

Before any object gets a cool, memorable name like “Makemake” or “Io,” it gets a temporary, scientific name. This is called a “provisional designation.” This name is a code, and it is given as soon as the object’s discovery is confirmed. This code is very important because it contains information about the discovery. For example, a name might look like “2014 MU69.” This code tells astronomers that the object was discovered in the second half of June 2014. These codes are not pretty, but they are very useful for scientists to track the object. For most small objects, like the millions of asteroids, this provisional designation is the only name they will ever have. An object must be very important—like a dwarf planet or a major moon—to move on to the next step of getting a proper “public” name. The object must be studied for many years, sometimes decades, so scientists can be 100 percent sure of its exact path, or orbit, before the IAU even considers giving it a final, proper name.

How Do Planets in Our Solar System Get Names?

This question has two parts: the big planets we have always known, and the new “dwarf planets” we are still finding. The eight major planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—were not named by the IAU. These names are ancient. The first five (Mercury to Saturn) are visible without a telescope, so ancient civilizations, like the Romans and Greeks, saw them and named them thousands of years ago. They named them after their most important gods. Mars looks red, so they named it after their god of war. Jupiter is the biggest planet, so they named it after the king of the gods. The IAU simply adopted these traditional, historical names.

The rules change for new, large objects found in our solar system. These are “dwarf planets,” like Pluto. When Pluto was found in 1930, the observatory that found it had the right to suggest a name. A young girl in England named Venetia Burney suggested “Pluto,” the Roman god of the underworld, which was fitting for such a dark, distant world. The observatory loved it and suggested it to the IAU, who made it official. Today, the IAU has a specific rule for new dwarf planets found far beyond Neptune: they must be named after creation gods or figures from mythologies around the world. This is why we have names like “Makemake” (from the Rapa Nui mythology of Easter Island) and “Haumea” (the Hawaiian goddess of fertility).

What Are the Rules for Naming Moons?

Moons, which are also called natural satellites, follow a very different and very interesting set of rules. When a new moon is found, it is also given a temporary code name first (like “S/2003 J 2”). Once its orbit is confirmed, the IAU gives it a permanent name based on a specific theme for that planet. Each planet has its own naming theme.

  • Jupiter: Moons of Jupiter must be named after the lovers, attendants, or descendants of the Roman god Jupiter (or his Greek version, Zeus). This is why Jupiter’s most famous moons are Ganymede, Callisto, Io, and Europa.
  • Saturn: Moons of Saturn are named after the Titans. In mythology, the Titans were the generation of gods before Jupiter and his siblings. Saturn (or Cronus) was the leader of the Titans. That is why we have moons named Titan, Rhea, Iapetus, and Tethys.
  • Uranus: This planet has a unique theme. The moons of Uranus are not named after mythology. Instead, they are named after characters from the plays of William Shakespeare and the poems of Alexander Pope. This is why its largest moons are Titania and Oberon (from A Midsummer Night’s Dream), along with Miranda, Ariel, and Puck (all from Shakespeare).
  • Neptune: Since Neptune is the Roman god of the sea, its moons must be named after figures from sea mythology. Its largest moon is Triton (a son of the sea god Poseidon), and another is Nereid (one of the Nereids, or sea nymphs).
  • Pluto: As a dwarf planet with an underworld theme, its moons must also be related to the underworld. Its large moon is Charon (the boatman who carries souls across the river Styx). Its smaller moons are named Styx (the river itself), Nix (the goddess of night), Kerberos (the three headed dog), and Hydra (the monster).

How Are Asteroids and Comets Named?

Asteroids and comets are much more common discoveries, so their rules are a bit different. Comets are often called “dirty snowballs” and are usually named after the person or team that discovered them. This is why we have names like “Comet Hale-Bopp” (discovered by Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp) or “Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9” (discovered by Eugene and Carolyn Shoemaker and David Levy). If a robotic telescope or space observatory finds a comet, it is often named after that project, which is why we have so many comets named “PAN-STARRS” or “LINEAR.”

Asteroids, also called “minor planets,” are where discoverers get a bit more freedom. After an asteroid is discovered, it gets its temporary code name. Scientists then track it for years. Once its orbit is perfectly known and it is given an official number, the person or team who discovered it gets the honor of suggesting a proper name. The IAU has a committee that reviews these suggestions. There are rules: the name cannot be offensive, it cannot be a commercial brand name (so no “Asteroid Coca-Cola”), and it cannot be the name of a pet. However, they can be named after famous scientists, artists, musicians (like asteroid 3834 Zappafrank), or even fictional characters (like asteroid 2309 Mr. Spock). The IAU committee has the final vote to approve or deny the name.

What About Planets Around Other Stars (Exoplanets)?

This is one of the most exciting areas of astronomy. In the last 30 years, we have confirmed the existence of thousands of planets orbiting other stars. These are called “exoplanets.” These new worlds get two different types of names: a scientific name and, sometimes, a public name.

The official, scientific name is very much like the code names for asteroids. It is practical, not poetic. The name is based on the star it orbits. The first exoplanet found orbiting a star called “51 Pegasi” was given the name “51 Pegasi b.” In this system, the star itself is “a,” so the first planet found is “b,” the second is “c,” the third is “d,” and so on. This is the name scientists use in research papers. It immediately tells them which star system the planet belongs to and in what order it was found. This is why we have so many planets with names like “Kepler-22b” or “TRAPPIST-1e.”

The IAU understood that these code names are not very inspiring for the public. To help people feel more connected to these distant worlds, the IAU started a special program called “NameExoWorlds.” This program allows the public to get involved. The IAU assigns a specific star and its planets to different countries. That country then holds a national campaign or contest, allowing schools, astronomy clubs, and the public to suggest and vote on a new public name. The winning name is then checked and made official by the IAU. For example, the “51 Pegasi” system was assigned to Switzerland. They chose the name “Helvetios” for the star (after a local ancient tribe) and “Dimidium” for the planet 51 Pegasi b (Latin for “half,” because the planet is about half the mass of Jupiter).

Can I Buy a Star or Planet Name?

You will often see advertisements online from companies that offer to “sell” you the right to name a star or a new planet. They promise to put your name or a loved one’s name in an official registry and send you a fancy certificate. It is very important to know that this is not real. These companies have no scientific or official authority. The IAU is the only organization that can officially name stars and planets. These private companies are just selling a piece of paper. No scientist, telescope, or space agency will ever use the name you “bought.” It is a novelty gift, like buying a certificate that says you own a piece of the Moon. It is not recognized by science in any way. The only official way for the public to help name an object is to participate in one of the IAU’s free, public “NameExoWorlds” campaigns.

Why Are Naming Rules So Strict?

It might seem like the IAU’s rules are too complex or take the fun out of naming things. But these rules are essential for good science. Science depends on being clear and precise. When a scientist in Japan publishes a study about “TRAPPIST-1e,” a scientist in Brazil needs to know they are talking about the exact same object. If everyone used different names, it would be impossible to share knowledge or build on each other’s discoveries. The rules prevent confusion and create a single, universal language that all of humanity can use to understand the cosmos. The rules also make sure that the names given to these amazing objects are respectful, lasting, and non-commercial. Naming the sky is a serious job, and the IAU’s system ensures that our map of the universe is orderly, accurate, and available to everyone.

Conclusion

Naming a new planet or moon is a careful and deliberate process. It is not random, and it is not for sale. The International Astronomical Union acts as the official guardian of our sky map, ensuring that every new discovery fits into a clear, global system. From the temporary code names given at discovery (provisional designations) to the strict mythological themes for moons and the exciting public campaigns for distant exoplanets, every official name has a story and a rule. This system prevents confusion and allows all of humanity to share in the wonder of discovery, using one single, common language to explore the universe.

If you had the chance to name a new dwarf planet, which mythology from around the world would you choose a name from?

FAQs – People Also Ask

What is the IAU?

The IAU, or International Astronomical Union, is the official global organization of professional astronomers. It was founded in 1919 and is the only group with the authority to give official names to planets, moons, stars, and other objects in space.

Can you really name a star after someone?

No, you cannot officially name a star after someone. Companies that sell star names are not recognized by the scientific community. The IAU does not sell naming rights, and no scientist will ever use a name bought from one of these registries.

Why do exoplanets have names like “Kepler-22b”?

This is the scientific name, or designation, for the planet. It is named after the star it orbits (in this case, “Kepler-22,” which was found by the Kepler telescope). The “b” means it was the first planet found orbiting that star, “c” would be the second, and so on.

How are comets named?

Comets are most often named after the person, people, or team that discovered them. This is why we have names like Comet Hale-Bopp (named after its discoverers) or Comet PAN-STARRS (named after the telescope project that found it).

Why are moons of Uranus named after Shakespeare characters?

This is a historical tradition that the IAU decided to keep. It was started by John Herschel, the son of the planet’s discoverer, in the 1800s. He felt mythology was too confusing, so he chose figures from English literature, and the rule stuck.

What is a provisional designation?

A provisional designation is a temporary code name given to a new object as soon as it is discovered, like “2012 VP113.” This code tells scientists when it was found and helps them track it. Most small objects only ever have this code name.

Do all asteroids get real names?

No, most do not. There are millions of known asteroids, and most just keep their official number and provisional designation. Only the most well-studied or significant asteroids get a proper name, which is suggested by their discoverer and approved by the IAU.

What kind of names are used for new dwarf planets?

The IAU rule for new dwarf planets, like Pluto or Eris, is that they must be named after a god or figure related to creation from a mythology somewhere in the world. This honors global cultures, such as “Makemake” from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) mythology.

How can the public help name a planet?

The public can participate in the IAU’s “NameExoWorlds” campaigns. For these events, the IAU assigns a specific exoplanet and its star to a country, which then runs a national contest for the public to suggest and vote on a new, official public name.

Why can’t I name a planet after my pet?

The IAU has rules against using pet names, as well as names that are commercial, offensive, or purely political. The rules are designed to ensure that names are formal, respectful, and lasting, so they remain appropriate for scientific use for centuries.

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