Astronomy enthusiasts from nearly 100 countries have submitted thousands of suggestions for the naming of a rare celestial body. The task of narrowing this down to the top 10 possible names has been entrusted to an international panel of experts, one of whom is Prof Thebe Medupe, an astronomer and academic at the North-West University (NWU).
He has been invited to serve as a panellist for Radiolab and the International Astronomical Union's global contest, "Name a Quasi-Moon". A quasi-moon is a rare celestial object that travels with a planet (in this case Earth) around the Sun but is not technically a moon.
The contest was following the release of the Radiolab episode "Zoozve". Listeners were invited to submit their ideas for naming the quasi-moon, provisionally known as (164207) 2004 GU9. The response was overwhelming, with over 2 700 submissions from 96 countries.
Prof Medupe, a renowned figure in the field of astronomy, joins a panel of experts tasked with narrowing down the submissions to a final list of 10. "We have been entrusted with the responsibility to help select the finalists for a global vote, and it’s an exciting opportunity to be part of this process," he says.
The judging process begins in mid-October, when the panellists will review and score approximately 20 to 30 names. In late October, they will participate in a Zoom deliberation to choose the top 15 to 10 finalists, with the final 10 selections to be confirmed by the International Astronomical Union. The project is expected to wrap up by mid-November, and a public vote will determine the winning name.
The winner of the contest will be announced later this year.
Radiolab, an award-winning podcast known for exploring scientific and cultural topics, has an audience of millions worldwide. Some of its notable guests have included chef Samin Nosrat, biologist Robert Sapolsky and YouTuber Hank Green. The podcast has produced several episodes focused on space, including "Mixtapes to the Moon" and "Little Black Holes Everywhere".
The global contest to name Earth’s cosmic companion has attracted interest among astronomy enthusiasts across the world. Prof Medupe’s involvement in this international project highlights his expertise and passion for bringing astronomy to the public.
Prof Thebe Medupe
