posted August 13, 2010 06:59 PM
plutinos (objects that orbit like Pluto...that is 2:3 orbital resonance with Neptune) are named after mythological Underworld characterscubewanos (classical kuiper belt objects that are not locked with Neptune and have more stable orbits beyond Neptune) are named after mythological creation characters
scattered disk objects,detached objects are being named after various mythological deities
some examples:
Sedna was given its name (after the Inuit Sea/Underworld Goddess) because it was the most distant object at the time it was discovered, and so it was the coldest. Sedna has longest the orbital period. It's over 11,000 years.
Haumea was given its name (after the Hawaiian Fertility Creation Goddess) because of it was mainly stone from most of its icy layer broken off as well as pieces of it became its moons and independently orbiting objects known as "Haumeids" just like how Haumea's children branched off from her body.
Eris was given its name (after the Greek Goddess of Discord) because its discovery led to discord,debate,and controversy about Pluto's planetary status because it's a transneptunian object that's larger than Pluto.
It's usually the discoverers that name the transneptunian objects.
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Raymond Andrews,
President,Executive Director of Developmental Neurodiversity Association
Supporting the Neurodiversity Movement
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