Name the Moon! (school project)

sue d. · Post by **sue d.** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 9:27 am

My son is doing an astronomy project which entails gathering people's opinions & knowledge on the topic.

So the question of the day is:

1. Did you know that the earth's MOON is the only moon in our solar system which doesn't have a formal name?

2. IF YOU WERE TO CHOSEN TO PICK A NAME FOR THE MOON - WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Please post your answers below!

Shell · Post by **Shell** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 5:36 pm

Hmmm...I never gave that much thought...Let me give it some thought for a day or so and I'll see what I can come up with.

I took an astronomy class several years ago for a graduation requirement (one of several choices and it was the only one that appealed to me). It was really interesting.

Jonathan · Post by **Jonathan** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 6:50 pm

"Moon."

Wait, isn't that the formal name for the moon? Moon/month...etc. All the others in the solar system were named to prevent confusion with Earth's moon...I think.

sue d. · Post by **sue d.** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 9:31 am

He needs to have this done by the end of the week, so if you all can post SOMETHING, I'd appreciate it!

Claire... how poetic!

Shell · Post by **Shell** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 11:59 am

Hmmm...How about Lunaris? That's pretty corny I guess, but lunar does go with moon.

brent · Post by **brent** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 7:20 am

Moon
Cheese
Night Light
The Cow's Hurdle (From the Nursery Rhyme)
Mary's (From It's A Wonderful Life)

sue d. · Post by **sue d.** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 8:50 am

I'm partial to Nova... which is already star-related (it's an exploding star).

Also my first showdog's name... also my business name. Yeah. My booking/concert biz is named after a dog. But hey - the dog made me famous in the Borzoi world! She really was my exploding star.

knotodiswrld · Post by **knotodiswrld** » Wed Dec 02, 2009 9:55 am

While the IAU has not officially assigned the names for the sun and moon, the names in common international use are "Sol" for the sun, and "Luna" for the moon.

So, I very much hope that when they do assign names, we stick with "Luna" for the moon. Otherwise, there will be alot of books to re-write.

However, if your son is a C.S. Lewis fan, he may prefer to use the name "Sulva" for the moon.

That is the name given to the moon in "Old Solar", which was the original language of all sentient beings in our solar system in Lewis' "Cosmic Trilogy". That trilogy includes the books "Out of The Silent Planet", "Perelandra" (which is by far my favorite of all Lewis' work and perhaps my favorite work of fiction of all time, but not appropriate for children under 16, IMO), and "That Hideous Strength" (which is one of my two LEAST favorite Lewis works).

knotodiswrld · Post by **knotodiswrld** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 9:21 am

MatthewRJ wrote:I think Lewis himself would say Pilgrim's Regress.

That's exactly the other book I was thinking of. In fact, the copy I have has either an afterward or a prologue written by Lewis wherein in soundly criticizes the book himself. You're right. Looking back on that book later in life, it was clear Lewis didn't think much of it.

Then again, it was very early both in his literary career and in his Christian life.

When compared to the depth and richness of "Perelandra" or the wisdom and insight of "The Screwtape Letters", it's hard to believe Pilgrim's Regress was written by the same person.

Other possible moon names include:

Praxis: Hard-core trekkies will recognize this as the name of the moon which orbited the Klingon home-world until a power generation plant on it exploded in Star Trek VI, blowing a huge portion of that moon away. One result, of course, is that Praxis' orbit has destabilized. I haven't kept up, but I believe Praxis is expected to eventually drift out of orbit altogether.

Endor: Home of the adorable little Ewoks of Star Wars fame. Remember, the more adorable an animal is, generally, the better it tastes. So as soon as any Imperial forces in the area are eliminated and you don't need the Ewoks' help anymore, fire up the bar-b-q grill!

Cramden's Bluff: Named for city bus driver Ralph Cramden, a bully wife-abuser who continually threatened to punch his wife so hard she would land on the moon. Everyone knew it was a bluff, however. It was clear to everyone that, if she had to, she could kick his bus.

Virgin Galactic Extra-Terrestrial Resort #1: We all know it's going to happen eventually. With the progress we're making in commercial space flight, sooner or later Virgin Galactic is going to open a resort there! Too bad I won't be able to shell out the 10K for one-night trip.

My favorite is still "Sulva".

St_Augustines_Pears · Post by **St_Augustines_Pears** » Sun Dec 06, 2009 4:25 pm

sue d. wrote:IF YOU WERE TO CHOSEN TO PICK A NAME FOR THE MOON - WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Sun Myung Moon.

Jonathan · Post by **Jonathan** » Mon Dec 07, 2009 9:51 pm

knotodiswrld · Post by **knotodiswrld** » Sun Feb 14, 2010 11:13 pm

So Sue. What name did you go with?

The Petra Zone

Name the Moon! (school project)

Did you know that the earth's MOON is the only moon in our solar system which doesn't have a name?

Name the Moon! (school project)

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