379 (County of Ross) Squadron of the RAF Air Cadets, based at Alness, Easter Ross, have some out of this world news regarding the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) UK ExoWorld Competition 2019.
In early September Squadron Leader Andy Dobson RAFVR(T) retired, a Civilian Instructor at the squadron and the Media Communications Officer for Highland Wing, through national TV became aware of the ExoWorld Competition 2019, launched by Professor Robert Walsh, professor of astrophysics at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
As part of their centenary celebrations, the IAU organised the global competition called ‘Name Exoworlds’. As part of this, the UK has the unique opportunity to give a popular name to a selected exoplanet and its host star.
Over recent years astronomers have discovered thousands of planets and planetary systems orbiting around nearby stars. Some are small and rocky like the Earth, whilst others are gas giants like Jupiter.
The opportunity was highlighted throughout the Wing via its social media platforms and one of the Wing’s cadets, 17-year-old Cadet Corporal Alfie Robertson from Alness submitted a suggestion for the currently named exoplanet WASP-13b and its host star WASP-13 respectively. Alfie decided on Saoghal for the exoplanet (Gaelic for ‘world’) and Brèagha for its host star (Gaelic for ‘beautiful’).
Out of the thousands of entries received by the competition Alfie’s entry was one of only two that made the final shortlist from Scotland, and his nomination has been selected to be one of the final ten names currently open to a public vote online.
After the public vote closes on 2 December, all votes will be counted, and the results passed to the IAU who will verify the result. In mid-December 2019, the UK winning set of names will be announced along with all the other names that other countries have chosen for their specific stars and exoplanets.
To cast your vote please visit the website: https://exoworld.co.uk/ where you will see all ten nominations.
Squadron Leader Dobson said: “Without being biased we would strongly urge that you support 379 (County of Ross) Squadron, and of course Cadet Corporal Robertson, to become the Scottish and UK overall winner in this unique competition, and to be forever remembered in the naming of an ExoPlanet, a truly out of this world opportunity.”
