What’s in a name? Apparently, quite a bit. The right to name space landmarks has reignited a longstanding feud between two organizations, and this time they’re butting heads over Martian craters. In the blue corner, founded in 1919 and touting 1,500 members in 94 countries, we have the International Astronomical Union (IAU)---a collective of astronomers involved in professional research and education. In the red corner, a small start-up focused on increasing public participation in space exploration and research, we have Uwingu.
Not long ago, Uwingu started a fundraising campaign that allows anyone to name one of Mars’ 500,000
mapped craters for a fee starting at $5. Mars is now dotted with craters bearing a cornucopia of names like DJ’s Nipple, Sweaty and Baconmancakes. One sports fan even transplanted earthly rivalries onto the Red Planet, naming a crater simply Cubs Suck. The proceeds from the naming campaign will fund Uwingu grants ...
