Free-floating Planets and the Naming Conversation in Space Science

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Way to go, planets. The lineup began with Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto, then Pluto was cut from the traditional list, and now there are hints that more worlds lie beyond a formal solar system, wandering the galaxy free of a star.

Japanese astronomers recently identified free-floating planets that do not orbit any star. A Nature report explains that the evidence comes from the objects’ gravity bending light from background stars, a technique known as gravitational microlensing.

Basically, the definition of a planet requires orbit around something, whether a star or a stellar remnant. Technically these rogue objects are not planets, yet they share the same formation path. They measure about the size of Jupiter and are expected to be as plentiful as stars in the Milky Way.

What we want to know is: 1. Do they have aliens and 2. Do they need help naming them? If they are, in fact, looking for some new planet names, we’ll get the ball rolling with some suggestions: Bort, a well-known meme-inspired choice from a famous TV episode; Meeguin, a moniker rumored to be used by a pop star; Ethel, a warm label many grandmothers carry with pride; Gunther, a familiar name many households know and cherish; Captain Von Trapp, a nod to the old film character, suggested as a new title for a distant world

If you have any planet names, please, feel free to suggest!

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