From Russell Eberst
Feedback is incorrect to assert that “astronomers are still in the habit of
giving orbiting objects boring names like RX4“
(19 February).
For a start, there should be a year given, such as 1998RX4, to
differentiate it from 1999RX4 and the yet-to-be-discovered 2000RX
4. More importantly, however, the “RX4“-type designation is given
to asteroids which, although they have been observed, have not yet had their
orbits established over a long enough period to guarantee that they will not be
lost in future. It is only when they have been observed on three separate
occasions that they are regarded as confirmed, and only then are they eligible
for the more exotic designations that Feedback so obviously demands.
eberst@cableinet.co.uk
