NASA will no longer use the old nickname given to Nebula NGC 2392.
NASA / Andrew Fruchter (STScI)
Conditions we use to describe the cosmos are not immune to control at a time when many people are working to identify and remove racist language. Just like tech terms are being re-evaluated, NASA is also revisiting how we talk about space.
“While the scientific community is working 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 space agency said in a statement. a statement Wednesday. “NASA is exploring its use of unofficial terminology for cosmic objects as part of its commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion.”
In particular, they are especially popular when it comes to galaxies and nebulae. To pay Arp 142, which consists of NGC 2336 and NGC 2937. Such statements may not sound like a bell to most people, but you would probably remember “the Penguin and the Egg” statues, because they look like an adorable penguin protecting an egg.
NASA gave two examples of cosmic objects of which they no longer use nicknames. Planetary Nebula NGC 2392 is called the “Eskimo Nebula.” “‘Eskimo’ is widely seen as a colonial term with a racist history, imposed on the indigenous peoples of the Arctic regions,” NASA declared.
NASA has already added a note to a 2008 image release showing NGC 2392 explaining the decision to return the nickname.
The agency will also only use the official designations of NGC 4567 and NGC 4568 to refer to a pair of spiral galaxies known as the “Siamese Twins Galaxy.”
This re-examination of cosmic names is ongoing.
“Our goal is for all names to be consistent with our values of diversity and inclusion, and we will work proactively with the scientific community to ensure that. Science is for everyone, and every facet of our work must reflect that value,” he said. Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
