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Calista241

(5,586 posts)
Sun Aug 9, 2020, 04:47 PM Aug 2020

NASA drops "insensitive" nicknames for cosmic objects

Source: CBS News

NASA is joining the ever-growing list of organizations and companies reexamining its naming system, removing names that are "insensitive" and "harmful" from its vocabulary. Aunt Jemima, The Chicks, Lady A, Mrs. Butterworth's, the Washington Football Team — and now, celestial objects — are all undergoing a rebrand.

"Eskimo Nebula" and "Siamese Twins Galaxy" are just two examples of nicknames that will be retired, the space agency announced this week. "Often seemingly innocuous nicknames can be harmful and detract from the science," it said.

Celestial objects such as planets, galaxies and nebulae are often given unofficial nicknames, since their official names are typically a series of letters and numbers. However, NASA said some of the names are offensive, and they plan to retire them.

"As the scientific community works to identify and address systemic discrimination and inequality in all aspects of the field, it has become clear that certain cosmic nicknames are not only insensitive, but can be actively harmful," the agency said. "NASA is examining its use of unofficial terminology for cosmic objects as part of its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion."

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/nasa-drops-eskimo-nebula-insensitive-nicknames-cosmic-objects/

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NASA drops "insensitive" nicknames for cosmic objects (Original Post) Calista241 Aug 2020 OP
This message was self-deleted by its author geralmar Aug 2020 #1
I personally don't think that counts. Black is a color. Hole is a place things fall into. truthisfreedom Aug 2020 #2
This message was self-deleted by its author geralmar Aug 2020 #4
So you must really have a problem with Uranus Polybius Aug 2020 #9
Snort! n/t VWolf Aug 2020 #11
Black holes have that name because the gravity in them is so PoindexterOglethorpe Aug 2020 #3
How about White Dwarf? Polybius Aug 2020 #8
What are they going to call Uranus? n/t Harker Aug 2020 #5
This message was self-deleted by its author geralmar Aug 2020 #6
If I remember correctly, that is where the Klingons hang out. lapfog_1 Aug 2020 #7
Yes, I did... Harker Aug 2020 #10
Replace black hole with hole of color please. Devil Child Aug 2020 #12
Shouldn't that be.... moose65 Aug 2020 #13
Ha! All celestial bodies matter? Devil Child Aug 2020 #14

Response to Calista241 (Original post)

truthisfreedom

(23,147 posts)
2. I personally don't think that counts. Black is a color. Hole is a place things fall into.
Sun Aug 9, 2020, 05:23 PM
Aug 2020

It has nothing whatsoever to do with race, and it never did.

Response to truthisfreedom (Reply #2)

PoindexterOglethorpe

(25,856 posts)
3. Black holes have that name because the gravity in them is so
Sun Aug 9, 2020, 05:26 PM
Aug 2020

intense that nothing, not even light can escape.

Response to Harker (Reply #5)

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