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Chronos

The planet orbiting Iota Horologii was the first planet that I gave a name to. This planet was quite interesting to me, and it deserved a special one: Cronus.

Beginning in 2004, I started a hobby of giving extrasolar planet names to the planets outside the solar system. I have recently reopened my PC to find all the names I have designated years ago, and saw some keepers and many flawed names.

Because the International Astronomical Union (IAU) is not giving extrasolar planets "official" names (comparable to the planets of the Solar system), I currently designate names for the fun. I only name planets after mythology, and I only name prototypical or important planets. I am slow in my work, so some planets I have not names may not have been given a name (as of yet).

Summary

A far back as 2004, I began to study about planets outside the Solar system (called extrasolar planets). But because not much was known about them (along with only knowing a few at the time), all extrasolar planets were named after their parent star (e.g. 51 Pegasi b). Some astronomers (or amateurs) desided to give some names to some of the most noted planets. The eariest I could remember was the name "Osiris" given to planet HD 209458 b (possibly the first true extrasolar planet name given).


Planet Name Mythology Root Connection
(in layman's terms)
51 Pegasi b Bellerophon Greek Pegasus, tamer [1] The first planet discovered around a Solar star. Located in the constellation of Pegasus
Gliese 581 c Ymir Norse frost-giant [2] Most Earth-like planet to date. Much larger than Earth.
HD 209458 b Osiris Egyptian underworld, death [3] Hellish planet that is in the process of dieing.
PSR B1620-26 c Methuselah Middle Eastern/Biblical elder, old Oldest planet discovered (to date).


Requested planet names

Note: I have not copyrighted these names and would love to see them be used for planetary nicknames.

Though all the planets don't deserve a name, some do. Some planets are unique or prototypical that they should get a name. But just like how only a few stars have and keep an official name, planets should be treated the same. Only important or prototypical planets should get a name.


Planet Name Mythology Root Connection
(in layman's terms)
16 Cygni Bb Leda[1] Greek swan, love [4] Best known planet in the Cygnus constellation.
23 Librae b Dike Greek justice [5] Planet in Libra (the scales).
47 Ursae Majoris b Nanook Inuit bear [6] Best known planet in the constellation of Ursa Major (the great bear).
47 Ursae Majoris c Tornarsuk Inuit bear, chief [7] Somewhat important planet, but not as well known as the first one.
55 Cancri e Fudo Japanese fire [8] Earth-like object near its sun.
55 Cancri b Ryujin Japanese sea, dragon [9] Both planets are interconnected with each other. These two planets are almost like parent and child (for the size and close distance from each other).
55 Cancri c Otohime Japanese sea, dragon, daughter [10] Both planets are interconnected with each other. These two planets are almost like parent and child (for the size and close distance from each other).
55 Cancri f Izanami Japanese creation, death [11] The planet is both supportive for life (being in the habitable zone), but is very dangerous (being a jovial planet).
55 Cancri d Amaterasu Japanese sun [12] Biggest object in the system (after its sun).
COROT-7 b Qilin Chinese unicorn [13] Planet in Monoceros (the unicorn).
Fomalhaut b Paikea Maori fish, monster [14] The planet is the first (true) planet to be confirmed by an image (it has always been there).
Epsilon Eridani b Odin Norse king, chief [15] Closest jovian planet to the Solar system.
Gliese 436 b Salacia Roman sea [16] Similar to Neptune in many ways.
Gliese 581 e Loki[2] Norse trickery [17] This planet was the first planet found (around a normal star) that has a mass closest to Earth. Yet the planet orbits in a scorching hot orbit.
Gliese 581 b Geirrod Norse frost-giant [18] The largest of the planets currently confirmed (in the system).
Gliese 581 d Bestla Norse mother, frost-giant [19] One of the likely candidates for an Earth-like planet.
Gliese 667 Cb Cerberus Greek underworld, guard, hounds [20] A planet orbiting in a triple stellar system.
Gliese 777 c Benu Egyptian bird, sun [21] The closest planet in the system.
Gliese 777 b Horus Egyptian sky, falcon-headed [22] The most massive planet in the system.
Gliese 876 d Alpan Roman underworld, love [23] A terrestrial planet (goddess of love) orbiting in a hot orbit (underworld).
Gliese 876 c Concordia Roman harmony, sisters [24] Two similar sisters who work together.
Gliese 876 b Pax Roman peace [25] Two similar sisters who work together.
HD 149026 b Hecate Greek wisdom [26] Planet with a relative large core.
HD 189733 b Anubis Egyptian death, jackal-headed [27] The planet is quite similar to planet Osiris in both discovery, orbit, and characteristics. Yet the planet is found in the constellation of the Fox.
HD 28185 b Eros Greek love [28] Similar to earth in many ways.
HD 80606 b Icarus Greek escape, sun Most eccentric planet found to date. Its mean distance is habitable, but flies to the inner reaches of its sun.
HR 8799 d Clotho Greek fate, sisters [29] Imaged planets
HR 8799 c Lachesis Greek fate, sisters [30] Imaged planets
HR 8799 b Atropos Greek fate, sisters [31] Imaged planets
Iota Horologii b Cronus[3] Greek time [32] Being the first and only planet discovered in the southern constellation of Horologium (the pendulum clock).
OGLE-2005-BLG-390L b Aegir[4] Norse sea [33] First Earth-like planet found. Name coined by Sedna.
PSR B1257+12 A Noah Middle Eastern/Biblical sailor, messenger [34] Being the closest planet to the star, I see it a similar to Mercury.
PSR B1257+12 B Jehovah Middle Eastern/Biblical king [35] Largest planet in the system.
PSR B1257+12 C Yahweh Middle Eastern/Biblical king [36] Second largest planet in the system.
Upsilon Andromedae b Alcaeus Greek son, Andromeda One of the first planets found, the second son.
Upsilon Andromedae c Sthenelus Greek son, Andromeda The outermost planets, the last two sons.
Upsilon Andromedae d Electryon Greek son, Andromeda The outermost planets, the last two sons.


Notes

  1. Names that were coined or proposed by Edasich
  2. Names that were coined or proposed by BlueEarth
  3. The original name chosen was Chronos. This name was part of W. Lyra's proposition on naming exoplanets, and chose this name out of all my proposals as the name form Iota Horologii b. However, he reworded the planet Cronus.
  4. Names that were coined or proposed by Sedna

See also

External links

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