
Two previously unknown moons of Pluto, with the temporary names “P4” and “P5,” were recently discovered, and now the public has a chance to vote on what to name them!
One of the 21 proposed names on the ballot is Vulcan, which in the Star Trek universe is the name of Mr. Spock’s home world. Head over to the SETI website Pluto Rocks and cast your vote for Vulcan, which is actually in the lead right now, with Cerberus and Styx following close behind.
William Shatner, who played starship Captain James T. Kirk on the original Star Trek television series and movies, is actually the person who suggested that Vulcan, which is the name of the Roman god of lava and smoke, and the nephew of Pluto, be added to the ballot. Shatner has been tweeting the link out to plutorocks.com, urging his followers to vote for Vulcan, in hopes that the International Astronomical Union (IAU) will actually choose the name.
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