[meteorite-list] Name the new Canadian fall

tett tett at rogers.com
Sat Dec 13 10:15:58 EST 2008


Thanks Jeff for the insightful response.

I suppose it will be 6+ months until we know and at least I have sown 
the seed for cool.

I still remember the sad time when Bilanga-Yanga was shortened to Bilanga.

Cheers!,

Mike Tettenborn


Jeff Grossman wrote:
> The final selection of a name rests with the Nomenclature Committee.  
> They have guidelines about what characterizes a proper meteorite name 
> (and contrary to popular belief, these do not say anything about post 
> offices).  However, there are no rules at all regarding who may 
> propose a name for a new meteorite.
>
> Normally, the group that submits the initial characterization of the 
> meteorite to the NomCom makes a suggestion about what the name should 
> be.  Surprisingly, there have been only a few cases where multiple 
> suggestions have been made by different groups.  A recent example was 
> Carancas (vs. Desaguadero).  I don't know how the committee would 
> react to suggestions coming out of the community at large.  I think 
> they would probably give deference to the finder and/or 
> initial-characterization team, unless a counter-suggestion was backed 
> by a better reason than "too John Waynish" or "no distinct Canadian 
> sound."
> But if I was doing the initial description of this meteorite, I would 
> be thinking as you are.  If I could pick from multiple names of nearby 
> geographic features and some are boring and some are cool, I'd go for 
> cool; if Buzzard Coulee was one of my choices, it would be a 
> no-brainer (except that maybe folks from Saskatchewan would not want a 
> name with the initials B.C.).
>
> Jeff
>
> tett wrote:
>> Jeff and List,
>>
>> Wondering who has final authority in naming new meteorites?  I know 
>> there are some general guidelines (nearest post office or town or 
>> landmark) but who has final say?  Will the peopel from U of Calgary 
>> be allowed input?  Can the met list opinion influence the final name?
>>
>> I am asking these questions in hopes of influencing the final name of 
>> the new Canadian fall.  It has been rerefed to as Lone Rock (too John 
>> Waynish for a Canadian stone), Marsden (Not bad but no distinct 
>> Canadian sound), Lloydminster (Getting better) and Buzzard Coulee 
>> (Now we are talking!)
>>
>> Looking at the map there are some other cool names close by such as 
>> Unwin, Zumbro and Manitou Lake.  Manitou being the Ojibwey name for 
>> the Great Spirit or spirits.
>>
>> Well, if it counts, my vote would be for Buzzard Coulee.
>>
>> Cheers,
>>
>> Mike Tettenborn,
>> Owen Sound, Ontario
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>
>



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