[meteorite-list] IT'S OFFICIAL -- A NUMBER AND A NAME

[Sterling K. Webb]

Hi,


    The IAU has just approved a NAME for "Xena,"
or 2003 UB313:
http://cfa-www.harvard.edu/iau/special/08747.pdf

    Central Bureau for Astronomical Telegrams, Circular 
No. 8747, says the name approved is ERIS, the Greek 
Goddess of Discord; the moon has been named 
DYSNOMIA. The suggestions are Mike Brown's,
thus proving that he has a sense of humor.
    Dysnomia means "lawlessness." For the body once 
named "Xena" (played on TV by Lucy Lawless) to 
have a moon named "Lawless"-ness is a wonderful 
pun. Somebody has lots of time on their hands, or
a quick mind. Dysnomia is the child of Eris ("Strife").

    ERIS means "strife" in the literal sense. The Latin
for the same Goddess is "Discordia." The Greeks
regarded "Strife" as a creative force. Hesiod says
of Eris:  "She stirs up even the shiftless to toil; for 
a man grows eager to work when he considers his 
neighbour, a rich man who hastens to plough and 
plant and put his house in good order; and neighbour 
vies with his neighbour as he hurries after wealth. 
This Strife is wholesome for men. And potter is angry 
with potter, and craftsman with craftsman, and beggar 
is jealous of beggar, and minstrel of minstrel."


Sterling K. Webb