A public name for ‘Bb’: Albertus Alauda!

Contrats Alpha Centauri Winning Planet Name Albertus Alauda!

Opening the naming of the closest planet to our solar system to the people of Earth!

Endorsed by the Discoverer of Alpha Centarui’s Planet, astronomer Dr. Xavier Dumusque

Astronomers have discovered evidence for thousands of planets orbiting distant stars. But all of these planets have only technical names, such as ‘Alpha Centauri Bb,’ not memorable ones like the planets in our own solar system.

Uwingu is announcing a contest for the people of Earth to name the closest known exoplanet (planet around another star)!

Between March 19th and April 22nd Uwingu, Alan Stern, Geoff Marcy and Astronomy Magazine

are challenging you to come up with the most popular name for Alpha Centauri Bb!

Anyone can nominate a name—or as many names as you like. The name with the highest number of votes for it on April 22th will be announced as the winner! And what’s more, we’ll be giving out a series of prizes to the namers (that’s you!) of any name that gets at least 100 votes, names that get 1,000 votes, names that get 10,000 votes, and the top vote getter of all.

During the competition you’ll need to work your magic to encourage votes from your social networks, blog followers, friends, family, employers…everyone! And its for a great cause—Uwingu is creating The Uwingu Fund to accelerate space research and education, and we’re already making grants.

 Get Started!

  A note from the discoverer of Alpha Centauri Bb, Xavier Dumusque in support of the Uwingu Prize Information: -Planet names with 100 votes: Facebook shout-out to about the name, citation, and YOU (the namer) -Planet names with 1,000 votes: $100 Uwingu gift certificate and a Facebook shout-out -Planet names with 10,000 votes: Stunning mobile of planets in our solar system, $100 of Uwingu bling, and a Facebook shout-out

The top vote-getter planet name will receive the following fabulous prizes:

-A call from Uwingu’s CEO and planetary scientist Alan Stern and Uwingu advisor/planet hunter Geoff Marcy

-A signed plaque commemorating the name and its namer

-A free 12-month subscription to Astronomy Magazine

-Their picture on the Uwingu web site along side the winning name they nominated and their citation describing the significance of the name they chose.

Keep Talking!  Ruffle some feathers and spread the word about this naming competition! –>> Share a Tweet

Invite Your Friends  Tell a friend about this naming competition 

Read full competition details HERE. 

Contrats Alpha Centauri Winning Planet Name Albertus Alauda!