Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Name the New Gamma-Ray Space Telescope

Posted by kdawson on from the your-name-in-high-frquency-lights dept.

Ponca City, We Love You writes "NASA announced last week that members of the general public will have a chance to suggest a new name for the cutting edge Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope, otherwise known as GLAST, before it launches in mid-2008. NASA wants a name that will capture the excitement of GLAST's mission and call attention to gamma-ray and high-energy astronomy. 'We are looking for something memorable to commemorate this spectacular new astronomy mission,' said Alan Stern, associate administrator for Science at NASA Headquarters in Washington. 'We hope someone will come up with a name that is catchy, easy to say and will help make the satellite and its mission a topic of dinner table and classroom discussion.' The period for submitting names closes on March 31, 2008. Participants must include a statement of 25 words or less about why their suggestion would be a strong name for the mission."

6 of 131 comments (clear)

  1. Gamma rays... catchy? by Firas+Zirie · · Score: 2, Interesting

    NASA wants a name that will capture the excitement of GLAST's mission and call attention to gamma-ray and high-energy astronomy

    I don't think that this topic will ever be exciting. NASA is doing PR work to get more public support and as a result, more funding. If they do want support, show the public some amazing images of what this thing can capture, then the public will be interested. It's sad that NASA has to do this instead of focusing on the science.
  2. Asking the public to name things? by Happosai · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Mister Splashy Pants... [Happosai]

  3. how about by ionix5891 · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Stephen Hawking Telescope? he is the most recognizable figure in astrophysics for a long time

  4. Important stuff by Ralof · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Curious Yellow. Or maybe 'Universal Big Brother'

  5. Carl Sagan by Ganty · · Score: 4, Interesting

    As Dr Hawking is still alive I suggested the Carl Sagan telescope. Now all we need are 'billions and billions' more suggestions.

    Ganty

  6. We could rip on scientology by Hojima · · Score: 1, Interesting

    We should call it the "We still see absolutely no evidence for the myriad of bullshit that you pay to hear" telescope. Then when the Scientologists try and sue them, we can just change it to the "Just kidding lord Xenu is our homedog and he asked us to build this gamma ray beam to destroy you" 'Telescope'.

    --
    Help fight spam