NASA to rename planets, galaxies, and nebulae that have 'insensitive nicknames'

NASA is planning to rename cosmic objects and do away with “ufficial nicknames” dedicated to some planets, galaxies, and nebulae as addressed by scientific community. In a press release issued on August 5, NASA said that in view of world’s initiative to identify and address systemic discrimination and inequality, NASA has decided to terminate ufficial termilogy for certain cosmos that’s t only insensitive but can be actively harmful.  

“As an initial step, NASA will longer refer to planetary nebula NGC 2392,  glowing remains of a Sun-like star that is blowing off its outer layers at end of its life, as “Eskimo Nebula.” “Eskimo” is widely viewed as a colonial term with a racist history, imposed on indigeus people of Arctic regions,” ncy informed in release. Furr, it said, that it was terminating nickname “Siamese Twins Galaxy” used to refer to NGC 4567 and NGC 4568, a pair of spiral galaxies found in Virgo Galaxy Cluster. NASA explained that most of such nicknames have been eradicated from official documents. “Moving forward, NASA will use only official, International Astromical Union designations in cases where nicknames are inappropriate,” it said. 

se nicknames and terms may have historical or cultural contations that are objectionable or unwelcoming, and NASA is strongly committed to addressing m. Science depends on diverse contributions and benefits everyone, so this means we must make it inclusive—Associate Administrator for Diversity and Equal Opportunity at NASA Headquarters, Stephen T. Shih said in a press release.

[Stellar relic, NGC 2392, nicknamed “Eskimo Nebula” which is a colonial term with a racist history. Credit: NASA]

[Spiral galaxy pair NGC 4567 and NGC 4568 nicknamed as Butterfly Galaxies. Credit: NASA]

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Nicknames "detract" from science

associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate at Headquarters, Washington, Thomas Zurbuchen said, “I support our ongoing re-evaluation of names by which we refer to astromical objects.” He added, “Our goal is that all names are aligned with our values of diversity and inclusion, and we’ll proactively work with scientific community to help ensure that. Science is for everyone, and every facet of our work needs to reflect that value.”

Nicknames are given to certain celestial objects such as for Barnard 33, nicknamed as " Horsehead Nebula" invokes appearance of cosmic entity. While such nicknames might be, on occasion, more approachable and public-friendly than official names, y’re in fact harmful and detract from science, NASA explained. ncy will be working with diversity, inclusion, and equity experts in astromical and physical sciences to provide guidance and recommendations for or nicknames and terms for review, it said. 

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