Tag Archives: exoplanet names

The IAU announces names for WASP exoplanets

The IAU have recently announced the outcome of their campaign allowing the people of the world to name recently discovered exoplanets and their host stars. The names chosen for WASP exoplanet systems are:

WASP-6 and WASP-6b: Márohu and Boinayel (Márohu and Boinayel are the god of drought and the god of rain, respectively, from the mythology of the Taino people of the Dominican Republic).

WASP-13 and WASP-13b: Gloas and Cruinlagh (in Manx Gaelic, Gloas means to shine, like a star, while Cruinlagh means to orbit).

WASP-15 and WASP-15b: Nyamien and Asye (Nyamien is the supreme creator deity in the Akan mythology of the Ivory Coast, while Asye is the Earth goddess).

WASP-17 and WASP-17b: Dìwö and Ditsö̀ (from the Bribri language of Costa Rica, Dìwö means the Sun, while Ditsö̀ is the name the god Sibö̀ gave to the Bribri people).

WASP-21 and WASP-21b: Tangra and Bendida (Tangra is the supreme creator god in early Bulgarian mythology, while Bendida is the Great Mother goddess of the Thracians).

WASP-22 and WASP-22b: Tojil and Koyopa’ (Tojil is a Mayan deity related to rain, storms and fire, while Koyopa’ means lightning in the K’iche’ Mayan language).

WASP-34 and WASP-34b: Amansinaya and Haik (Aman Sinaya is the primordial deity of the ocean in the Philippine’s Tagalog mythology while Haik succeeded Aman Sinaya as God of the Sea).

WASP-38 and WASP-38b: Irena and Iztok (Iztok and Irena are characters from a traditional story from Slovenia).

WASP-39 and WASP-39b: Malmok and Bocaprins (Malmok and Boca Prins are scenic, sandy beaches in Aruba).

WASP-50 and WASP-50b: Chaophraya and Maeping (Chao Phraya is the great river of Thailand, while Mae Ping is a tributary).

WASP-52 and WASP-52b: Anadolu and Göktürk (Anadolu is the motherland of the Turkish people while Göktürk was the first Turkish state, established in the 5th century).

WASP-60 and WASP-60b: Morava and Vlasina (Morava is the longest river in Serbia, while Vlasina is a tributary).

WASP-62 and WASP-62b: Naledi and Krotoa (Naledi means “star” in the Sesotho, SeTswana and SePedi languages of South Africa, while Krotoa is considered the Mother of Africa and member of the Khoi people).

WASP-64 and WASP-64b: Atakoraka and Agouto (Atakoraka is a mountain range in Togo, while Agouto is the highest peak).

WASP-71 and WASP-71b: Mpingo and Tanzanite (Mpingo is a tree that grows in southern Tanzania producing ebony wood for musical instruments, while Tanzanite is a precious stone).

WASP-72 and WASP-72b: Diya and Cuptor (Diya is an oil lamp used in the festival of Diwali in Mauritius, while Cuptor is a traditional clay oven).

WASP-79 and WASP-79b: Montuno and Pollera (the names are the traditional costumes worn by the man and the woman, respectively, in the El Punto folk dance of Panama).

WASP-80 and WASP-80b: Petra and Wadirum (Wadi Rum is a valley in southern Jordan while Petra is an ancient city).

WASP-161 and WASP-161b: Tislit and Isli (both are lakes in the Atlas Mountains of Morocco, and also mean “bride” and “groom” in the Amazigh language).

WASP planets will get names in a public vote

Written by Tom Wagg

WASP planets, like all exoplanets, get catalogue numbers but, so far, have not been actually named. The International Astronomical Union policy is now about to change, with the announcement of a contest in which astronomy clubs and non-profit organisations can submit names for exoplanets.

The worldwide public will then be able to vote on their favourite name for an exoplanet and the winning names will be officially sanctioned by the IAU.


Among the 305 exoplanets which have been selected for the first round of naming are 10 of the earliest discovered WASP exoplanets. These include WASP-12b, which has recently been found to contain water, and WASP-10b, which is thought to have a massive outer companion.

The host stars of WASP-7b and WASP-14b are both bright enough to be visible in a pair of binoculars, one in the Northern Hemisphere and the other in the Southern Hemisphere, which means that it will be possible to name a WASP planetary system that you can readily point to at a star party.

Members of the public can propose names for just one exoplanet, or for a whole planetary system such as 55 Cancri which includes five exoplanets.

Once the naming process is over we will post the new names of our WASP planets and the creators of these names on this blog. To get involved simply follow this link and submit your proposed exoplanet names for your chance to be credited with naming your own exoplanet!