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There is no precedent for naming an asteroid's moon. Responsibility for naming Solar System bodies lies with the International Astronomical Union's (IAU) Working Group on Planetary System Nomenclature.
The Galileo Project is now soliciting names for Ida's moon, which currently carries the temporary designation 1993 (243) 1: 1993 is the year Galileo photographed it; 243 is the numerical designation of Ida; and the 1 notes that it is the first satellite discovered around Ida. The name chosen for Ida's satellite should relate in some way to Ida, either through mythology (Ida was a nymph who cared for the infant Jupiter) or similarity in name (Lupino has already been suggested--remember actress Ida Lupino?).
All suggested names and accompanying rationale for the choice must be received by the Galileo Project by July 31, 1994. The Project (through the Near Infrared Mapping Spectrometer and Solid-State Imaging teams) will then make a recommendation to the IAU in August. As the discoverers of the satellite, we trust that the IAU will give our recommendation special consideration.
Please send your suggested names to:
We appreciate and will seriously consider all suggestions.
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