SETI Institute Sponsors Public Contest to Name Two Pluto's Moons

California-based SETI Institute is organizing a contest to name two of Pluto’s five moons.

Contestants have until Feb. 25 to visit the contest's website and either vote to one of the competing names or suggest their own name.

Three of Pluto’s moons already have names. But scientists at SETI Institute are looking to give one lucky member of the public the opportunity to label two more.

To the winner is reserved the opportunity to be forever attached the former planet Pluto.

Pluto lost its pedigree as a planet in 2006 after scientists reassessed the definition of a planet. Since then it is considered a “dwarf planet,” since it isn’t big enough to be considered a planet.

Pluto’s largest moon, discovered in 1978, was named Charon. The other two named masses are Nix and Hyrda, both discovered in 2005. All three names are both borrowed from Greek and Roman mythology.

The other two moons, discovered in 2011 and 2012, are, as of now, known only by “P4” and “P5.”
According to the contest rules, no such restrictions will exist for naming the new mass, but participants are encouraged to consider names from Greek and Roman mythology out of tradition.

“By tradition, the names of Pluto's moons come from Greek and Roman mythology, and are related to the ancient tales about Hades and the Underworld,” the contest website states.

“Alternatively, if you have a great idea for a name that we have overlooked, let us know by filling out the write-in form. If you can make a good case for it, we will add it to the list. “

As of Wednesday evening, the ballot listed 13 names, including Acheron, one of the five rivers of the underworld according to Greek mythology, Vulcan, the Roman god of lava and smoke and the nephew of Pluto, and Hercules, the Roman name for the son of Zeus, along with Alecto, Erebus, Eurydice and Obol.