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takyon [soylentnews.org] writes:

The dwarf planet 2007 OR₁₀ will get a proper name soon:

Astronomers have asked the public to help name a minor planet in our Solar System discovered in 2007.

The dwarf planet, which orbits the sun beyond Neptune, has since been referred to as (225088) 2007 OR10.

Now the scientists who discovered it are asking the public to help pick a catchier name. The options are Gonggong, Holle and Vili.

The winning name will be formally suggested to the International Astronomical Union.

Gonggong is a Chinese water god with red hair and a serpent-like tail. He is known for creating chaos, causing flooding, and tilting the Earth.

Holle is a European winter goddess of fertility, rebirth, and women, while Vili is a Nordic deity who defeated frost giant Ymir and used the body to create the universe.

Voting [2007or10.name] ends on May 10.

2007 OR₁₀ [wikipedia.org] has an estimated diameter of 1230 ± 50 km, and one known moon with a diameter less than 100 km.

Also at The Planetary Society [planetary.org] and EarthSky [earthsky.org].

Previously: Large Moon Confirmed Around Slowly Rotating Dwarf Planet 2007 OR10 [soylentnews.org]

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