People Invited to Name the Moon
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The following is a news release from NametheMoon.World.
FARMINGTON, Utah — People around the globe are invited to participate in a social media campaign to name the moon beginning Jan. 18, 2016 by submitting names and signing an e-petition. The e-petition asks the International Astronomical Union (IAU) to give the moon a unique name like its counterparts orbiting other planets in the solar system. The campaign will run through Summer 2016.
Name the Moon Society Spokesperson, Tawni Henderson, said, “Other moons in the solar system have names like Ganymede, Titan, Bianca and Belinda. The most beautiful moon in the solar system—our moon—also deserves a unique name.”
Those who agree can sign the e-petition at www.Namethemoon.world.
In addition to the e-petition, Name the Moon will sponsor a name the moon contest. For just a dollar, participants can submit a potential name for the moon. A portion of the proceeds will benefit Ryan’s Well Foundation and Water.org, organizations that work to solve water issues around the world.
At the end of the campaign a list of finalist names will be announced on Summer Solstice—June 20, 2016. Then during the following three weeks, the public can vote for their favorite name. The winning name will be submitted with the petition to the IAU.
Henderson said she hopes the IAU will consider the winning name as the moon’s official name. “The IAU’s charter says that recommendations should be based on ‘a broad consensus in the community concerned.’ We’re hoping to show them that people want our moon to have a unique name,” she said.
“This campaign should be a lot of fun,” Henderson said. “Throughout the campaign, our goals are for people to learn more about our amazing solar system, and to unite people all around the world in a common cause.”
To promote the campaign, Name the Moon has created short, educational cartoon videos. These videos can also be viewed at www.Namethemoon.world.