The International Astronomical Union has named 2004 GU9, a quasi-moon discovered in 2004, after the Roman goddess of doorways and transitions, Cardea. The name was chosen from nearly 3,000 submissions submitted by science enthusiasts worldwide.
For thousands of years, Cardea has been revered as the guardian of thresholds, watching over transitions and doorways. This time, she has joined the celestial ranks as a quasi-moon, an asteroid orbiting around Earth. The winning entry was submitted by Clayton Chilcutt, 19, a University of Georgia sophomore who participated in an astronomy class.
The International Astronomical Union partnered with WNYC’s “Radiolab” science program to host a naming contest for the quasi-moon. More than 2,700 entries were received from over 100 countries. A diverse panel of astronomers, journalists, and experts selected seven finalists, including two University of Georgia students.
Among the finalists was Bakunawa, a mythical dragon from Philippine folklore, and Ehaema, or “Mother Twilight” in Estonian folklore. The contest aimed to engage people with science by offering them an opportunity to contribute to the naming of celestial objects.
The quasi-moon’s name is fitting for its role as a guardian, watching over Earth during times of transition. According to astronomer Latif Nasser, “Space is the biggest big picture we have.”
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/13/science/space/quasi-moon-radiolab-iau.html