Spock, Hillary, Cthulhu & Other New Names for Pluto and Its Moons

The video discusses the New Horizons mission's exploration of Pluto and its moon, Charon. It explains the process of naming features on these celestial bodies, highlighting the themes used for naming, such as underworld mythology for Pluto and fictional space explorers for Charon. The International Astronomical Union oversees the naming process to ensure consistency and avoid arbitrary names. The video also mentions public involvement in suggesting and voting on names. Finally, it encourages viewers to support SciShow on Patreon and subscribe to their channel.

What organization is responsible for approving names in space?

• SpaceX

• NASA

• International Astronomical Union

• European Space Agency

Which theme is primarily used for naming features on Pluto?

• Ancient civilizations

• Famous scientists

• Underworld mythology

• Space exploration

What is the name of the heart-shaped region on Pluto?

• Balrog Regio

• Cthulhu Regio

• Sputnik Planum

• Tombaugh Regio

What theme is used for naming features on Charon?

• Greek mythology

• Fictional space explorers

• Natural landmarks

• Historical figures

Which of the following is NOT a crater name on Charon?

• Spock Crater

• Gandalf Crater

• Kirk Crater

• Leia Organa Crater