Questions tagged [iau]
Questions about the International Astronomical Union
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Calculation of intersection point Q of planetary equator with ICRF equator for other planets
I'm converting the W for each planet in this IAU report into Celestia's MeridianAngle, which is converted like this:
$$
\textrm{MeridianAngle}=W-Q
$$
Where Q is the point where the planet's equator ...
- 21
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When will 2002 MS4 be named?
The trans-Neptunian planetoid 2002 MS4 is currently the largest known unnamed Sun-orbiting object. Is there any standard schedule on when this and similar objects might be named? Usually the ...
- 1,548
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IAU 2018 Exoplanet definition
In 2018 the IAU produced a definition of an exoplanet:
The current official wokring definition of an exoplanet as amended by IAU Comission F2: Exoplanets and the Solar System in August 2018, reads as ...
- 920
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How does one go about submitting a name for a newly-discovered lunar crater?
Suppose I discover an uncatalogued crater on the lunar surface, and decide to name it. How would I submit my proposed name to the IAU?
- 23
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What happened to the 2017 proposal on redefining planethood? Is this information available?
In 2017, Alan Stern et al. submitted a geophysical planet definition to the IAU for review which states
“A planet is a sub-stellar mass body that has never undergone nuclear fusion and that has ...
- 387
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What name was voted for Tau Boötis b by the Name Exoworlds Project?
In 2015, the exoplanet Tau Boötis b was included in the Name Exoworlds Project, a project where various international astronomy organizations would propose names for a selection of known exoplanets ...
- 4,695
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Why doesn't the IAU consider Quaoar to be a dwarf planet?
Only Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Makemake and Eris are listed by the IAU as dwarf planets. Quaoar is bigger than Ceres, yet it doesn't make the cut. In fact, it fits the IAU description of a dwarf planet
...
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Why are only some of the geologic features in Mars' Noctis Labyrinthus region named?
I found this page Names Approved for Six Cavi and a Tholus on Mars which lists seven features on Mars. I'm curious about the decisions to name only these features: Dalu Cavus, Layl Cavus, Malam Cavus, ...
- 1,447
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How are the three character IAU Minor Planet Center's Observatory Codes assigned? Why are some letters so popular?
Answers to Latitude, longitude and altitude of Ckoirama Observatory; where can things like this be looked-up? point to https://www.minorplanetcenter.net/iau/lists/ObsCodesF.html which currently lists ...
- 31.3k
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How many members of the IAU typically attend votes?
One of the talking points of people how think that the definition of a planet should include Pluto is that during the 2006 vote on the definition of a planet, only a small percentage of the members of ...
- 17.4k
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Are there recommendations to use "Hubble-Lemaître constant" instead of "Hubble constant"?
The IAU recommends renaming the Hubble law as the Hubble-Lemaître law, as discussed at its General Assembly in 2018 (see this press release and the links therein).
I have now stumbled upon an ...
- 507
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How did Biden become VP? (naming of 2012 VP113)
The Carnegie Science article Solar System's Edge Redefined describes the discovery of the object 2012 VP113.
Wikipedia's article 2012 VP113 says:
Nickname:
2012 VP113 was abbreviated "VP" ...
- 31.3k
4
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1
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IAU rotation model
I'm looking at this IAU WGCCRE Report: http://aa.usno.navy.mil/publications/reports/Archinaletal2011a.pdf
It gives expressions for Earth orientation relative to the International Celestial Reference ...
- 141
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Protocol for establishing longitudinal meridians on other heavenly bodies
When we first observe a new heavenly body (it could be a new star, asteroid, etc.,or a minor planet in our own solar system), are there any procedures set in place for establishing a system of ...
- 141
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Epsilon Eridani and Sadira
I have seen a number of places on the Internet where Epsilon Eridani is referred to as Sadira. (e.g. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_stars_in_Eridanus ) However, it would seem that its an ...
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