Selection of 'Vibha' for outer planets, 'Santamus' for satellite, Indian names

Ahmedabad. December 21, 2019, Saturday

The Indian names have been given 'Vibha' and 'Santmas' respectively, to a star and its satellite found outside the sun. The International Astronomical Union names any planet, satellite, or sphere found in the universe. The union is celebrating its centenary. The union has asked various countries to send their local names.

The Astronomical Society of India took responsibility for sending names from India. These two names were chosen from the names sent by the Society.

The name of Vibha is an Indian scientist. In honor of Vibha Chowdhury. He has done considerable work in space research. Santamus is a Sanskrit word, which means that it is surrounded by clouds. The Astronomical Society competed for its name on its website. It had 1700 different names.

Five of the names were sent to the International Union by finalizing the names. There were two exoplanets and one plan that the star was supposed to name. Of the names shipped from India, ten names were shortlisted and two were chosen.

The name Vibha was given by 22-year-old Anakana Bhattacharya, a native Kolkata student studying in Surat. While Santmas was named after Vidyasagar, a 13 year old student from Pune. Names of countries other than India were also selected. However, a total of 780,000 contestants from 110 countries participated in the nomination.

The planet, named Santamus, is now 340 light years away from Earth. When one travels around you, your temperature seems like six thousand degrees. If the astronaut is knowledgeable and has little experience in space studies, then this can be seen with binocular or small spatial telescopes under normal circumstances.