International Astronomical Union gives Thai names to two asteroids

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has announced that it has given Thai names to a pair of asteroids orbiting the far reaches of outer space.

The IAU has finally adopted the Thai names Kaewkosin and Phailinsiam for a red dwarf star with the serial number GJ 3470 and its blue-green planet identified under the code name GJ 3470b.

An astronomical first warmly welcomed by the Thai Prime Minister, which he believes is a mark of recognition by the international agency and an important step for Thai astronomy.

These names were proposed as part of the NameExoWorlds 2022 competition, an adoption body that studies nominations for celestial objects from around the world.

The National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand (Narit) and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation have set up a platform allowing Thai astronomy enthusiasts to propose names for celestial bodies.

Government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri stressed that the program is also intended to show the determination of the government and specialized agencies to encourage young people who are passionate about Thai astronomy.

It is within the framework of this platform that the names Kaewkosin and Phailinsiam were first proposed before being submitted to the IAU for judgment.

Kaewkosin (แก้วโกสินทร์) is inspired by an ancient belief that the stars were precious stones belonging to the Hindu deity Indra.

Phailinsiam, which means 'blue precious stone', was proposed for the planet orbiting the dwarf star based on the color of the celestial body, reported the Bangkok Post.

Supachai Awiphan, a researcher at the National Astronomical Research Institute of Thailand, said that the nomination of Kaewkosin and Phailinsiam by the IAU was met with great joy and pride by members of the Thai astronomical community.

In its young astronomical history, Thailand had already made a big impact last year when it sent one of its favorite dishes, Phat kaphrao (stir-fried with sacred basil leaves), into space as part of an exceptional experiment conducted using a very high-altitude balloon.

This notable event, relayed by the specialized press around the world, had marked in a resounding way the official entry of Thailand into the closed circle of space experimentation, in particular through the use of a balloon specially designed to withstand the constraints of very high altitude.

This first resounding test had also given this dish, which deserved a universal recognition, its letters of nobility.

The experiment, conducted by the Thai Agency for Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development, aimed to study the intriguing cosmic effects of high-altitude exposure on the nutrient content in general and of this highly appreciated dish in particular.

See also:

NASA to help Thailand in its space conquest project

Thailand to go into space in 2023-2027

Thailand partners with France in space technology

Thailand to launch its first Earth exploration satellite this year

Source: The Thaiger