I am sure some of you get infrequent emails about events concerning
Astronomers Without Borders, but in case you don't, here's an interesting circular you might be interested in.
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Posted by Thilina Heenatigala via emails on Facebook:
In April 2010, Space Renaissance Education Chapter in collaboration with Father Films, launched Naming X, a global competition which asked young minds to suggest a suitable name for a minor planet and a reason why. Applicants were required to adhere to competition guidelines and suggestions were accepted in three categories, under 11years, +12years, and schools & groups.
We had several hundred submissions from 34 countries showing that there's an international talent for creative thinking when it comes to naming planetary bodies. All the team and judging jury; David Levy, Prof. Ian Morison and Dr. Marc Buie were delighted with the response, thoughts and creative inspirations and after considering each entry we have selected our winners and runners up featured on
venetiaburneyphair.blogspot.com/2010/06/...rs-up-announced.html
In short, the winning names and their suggesters are: Glissade, suggested by 10year old Erica Reed, Erytheia, suggested by 15year old Nathan Phillips and Virgil, offered by McKinney High School, USA. Special mentions in the form of runners up in each category originated from Belgium, Ghana, India, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom and USA.
This educational initiative was very successful and got learners thinking creatively, some educators preceded the competition with an activity explaining the definition of a minor planet, facts on characteristics, discovery and naming protocol. Other school teachers asked students to imagine a minor planet, then draw and name it. In fact, an entire class sent its drawings in to us!
The winning names and reason will be included in a formal paper to the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Committee for Small Body Nomenclature (CSBN) to be considered for a real minor planet.
Please find more information in the press release at:
www.spacerenaissance.org/EDU/namingx_winners.pdf
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Clear Skies,
Seanie Morris.
  