Asking the internet to name a science mission has become something of a tradition, but we think even the bravest might ask in a recent request on Twitter.
An unofficial Twitter account promoting the future missions of the ice giants in our solar system, Giant ice missionsasked for suggestions for a so-called probe sent to Uranus.
Given the potential puns that are inevitably associated with Uranus, this is dangerous territory, even beyond the expected “Something McSomethingface”. This, of course, was Among the best answersBut with a fertile earth like Uranus, why dead horse skin؟
Surprisingly, however, that ass Advice They appear to be in the minority, as many respondents took the question in good faith and answered accordingly.
there was:
Traveler – @ NSFVoyager2 🌌
Cassini-Huygens Embed the tweet 🪐
new horizons – Embed the tweet 🖤
Juno – Embed the tweet 🟠
perseverance – Embed the tweet 🔴We want to know what you will call it #Uranus Orbit and probe mission? ⚪️🛰️# retweet # Companions # I grow up pic.twitter.com/o6vLLgdvMo
Giant Ice Missions 🛰 (ExploreIGO) September 10, 2022
A mission to Uranus is not currently in development, but it is not just a distant dream. So far, missions have been sent to most of the planets in the solar system. MercuryAnd VenusAnd MarsAnd Jupiter, and Saturn were visited and scanned by dedicated sensors. The moons of Jupiter also get a mission.
On the other hand, the ice giants have been somewhat neglected. Earlier this year, this led a team of experts from US national academies to Recommend a mission to Uranus In his nodal report to NASA.
In fact, Uranus considers it so important that the commission, of all its recommendations, gave stinking planet Highest priority.
“Uranus is one of the most interesting objects in the solar system”, Books of scholars. “Low internal energy, energetic atmospheric dynamics and a complex magnetic field are all great mysteries.
“A gigantic primordial impact could have produced the extreme axial tilt of the planet and perhaps its rings and satellites, although this is not certain. Uranus’ large icy rock moons have shown startling evidence of geological activity in Voyager 2’s limited overflight data, potential ocean worlds. “
If we can’t reuse Herschel, the obvious choice, how about:
Caelus (Greek version of Uranus)
pod (which according to its orbit)
Lassell (Discover Ariel)
Kuiper (for many reasons!)
The Tempest (personal favorite – keeps Shakespeare’s theme alive)Corey S Powell (@coreyspowell) September 10, 2022
This mission concept is currently running in name Uranus probe and probe (UOP) – But other solar system missions may have more catchy names.
Mars possesses (or had) spirit, opportunity, curiosity and perseverance. Bepi Colombo Currently traveling to Mercury while Akatsuki (Japanese word meaning “dawn”) is currently in orbit around Venus. Saturn had Cassini-Huygens. Jupiter has the Juno probe – named after the queen of the Roman goddess, who was married to Jupiter. His investigation of Voyager left the solar system; Relay of new horizons.
There doesn’t seem to be much in the naming convention between these missions, meaning there’s room for creativity in naming the Uranus probe. Among the best contenders are the astronomers who discovered Jupiter (William Herschel) and some of its moons (William Lassell and Gerard Kuiper).
Wow 😍! And jokes aside, SUPER admired everything that was beautiful #Uranus Orbiter and probe name suggestions so far! You already have a lot of favorites! ⚪️🛰️# retweet # Companions pic.twitter.com/QneOxv7tem
Giant Ice Missions 🛰 (ExploreIGO) September 11, 2022
There are also famous explorers: the polar explorer Roland Amundsenmountaineer Tenzing Norgay, or Ipirvik-Taqulittuq in honor of his 19th-century husband and wife Inuk who served as guides and translators for white explorers of the Arctic.
If we want to avoid naming the probe after people, this is a practice that can become FullOther options are a bit more poetic. There is Caelus, the ancient Roman counterpart of the Greek god Uranus. Or Odin, the Norse god who defeated the ice giants in myth.
What appeared to be the most popular proposition was Tempest. This is because a number of Uranus 27 moons It is named after Shakespeare’s characters, in the largest proportion: nine (or 10, if you count Ariel) from The Tempest.
Whatever the name, the mission will reveal more information about one of the most mysterious worlds in the solar system.
How did Uranus end up? lateral inclinationAnd turn in the opposite direction to the other planets? Why would he do it his rings Like anything else in the solar system? What’s wrong X-rays come out? Why its magnetic field? what a mess؟
With all these pressing questions, one can almost forget the ridiculous name of the planet in English to begin with.
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