In a statement issued by the U.S. space agency last week, it said that at a time when “the community is working to identify and combat systemic discrimination and inequality, it has become clear that some of the common names given to space objects are not only inappropriate, but can also be harmful. ” The agency declared its commitment to the fight for diversity, equality and inclusion.
Without Eskimo and Siamese Twins
One of the steps NASA will take as soon as possible is to stop naming the planetary nebula NGC 2392 the Eskimo Nebula. The term “Eskimo”, as emphasized, is commonly viewed as a colonial racist term as the term was imposed on the indigenous peoples of the Arctic. In addition, a pair of spiral galaxies, NGC 4567 and NGC 4568, located in the Virgo Galaxy Cluster, will no longer be called the Siamese Twins.
“Science benefits everyone”
“Some names and terms may have historical and cultural connotations that are offensive or painful,” said Stephen Shih, NASA’s associate administrator for diversity and equal opportunities. He added that people of different origins contribute to science, it benefits everyone, which means that you have to opt for inclusiveness.
As NASA points out, in those cases where the common names turn out to be inappropriate, in the future it will be necessary to use only the official names, i.e. those given by the International Astronomical Union. Objects such as the Horseshoe Nebula will keep their neutral names.
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