Subscribe now

Letter: Mind your Ps

Published 31 August 2011

From Gareth Williams, IAU Minor Planet Center

In reporting the discovery of the new satellite of Pluto (30 July, p 14), there is no need to state that it “has been dubbed P4”. It already has an official provisional designation from the International Astronomical Union: S/2011 P 1.

The use of nicknames is, unfortunately, common. Also, a name cannot be assigned to the satellite until it receives its permanent numerical designation: these are issued sequentially to such discoveries, and that won’t happen until a reliable orbit has been observed.

Cambridge, Massachusetts, US

Issue no. 2828 published 3 September 2011

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with New Scientist events and special offers.

Sign up
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop