The International Astronomical Union is now accepting names for one of our planet’s quasi-moons, the space rocks that follow Earth’s path around the Sun without being bound to us like the Moon is.
The object in question is called 164207 (2004 GU9). It is a potentially hazardous asteroid up to 360 meters (1,181 feet) in diameter and it will be a quasi-satellite of Earth until around 2600. So giving it a name makes perfect sense, if it is going to stick around for several centuries to come.
Quasi-moons appear to go around the planet, from the point of view of the planet that is, but they are simply on peculiar orbits that are unstable in the long-term (and sometimes short-term). So, they come and go as they please.
The contest is open now and it will continue until September. The rules are simple. The name needs to come from the mythology of any culture and it cannot be shared with something else in space. If you want to know the list of already-used names you can find it here. It cannot be a generic word, your own name, the name of a pet, or a military, political, or business name. And it can’t be a number! Also, you can have a maximum of 16 characters.
If you are ready to give it a try, here is the website. You will need to provide a description of the name as well as why you have selected it. The names will then be voted on in October after submissions are closed. The selected name will be announced in January 2025.
The initiative is a partnership between Radiolab and the International Astronomical Union. Radiolab was responsible for the recent naming of the quasi-moon of Venus, where a typo on a children’s poster turned object 2002 VE into Zoozve.
Source Link: Wanna Name A Quasi-Moon Of Earth? Now Is Your Chance!