Despite the fact that Pluto is no longer technically a planet, it does still have moons, and like any good satellite around another orbiting celestial body, they need names. Astronomers at the SETI Institute recently discovered two new moons around the dwarf planet and decided to let the public in on the fun of coming up with the names for them. One caveat, however, is that voters have a predetermined list of names to choose from since they are trying to follow through with the same underworld theme already accompanying the dwarf planet.
Pluto was named after the Roman god of the underworld, and the three moons we already knew about have been named in like kind (Charon, Nix and Hydra … Google it, kids!), so what we have to choose from are limited to Acheron, Alecto, Cerberus, Erebus, Eurydice, Hercules, Hypnos, Lethe, Obol, Orpheus, Persephone, and Styx. Now you CAN write in your own submission, but you’ll have to include good reasoning as to why the moons should be named thusly, which means my suggestion of Ren and Stimpy will probably be declined.
Anyway, if you want to check out the site and vote, you can do so here. Voting will continue until February 25.