A worldwide contest to name 32 alien exoplanets and many of their host stars has entered its final phase and the public’s help is needed to vote on a list of names for these planets.

The International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Name Exo Worlds competition is wide open and you can cast your vote through October 31^st.  The winning names will be announced in mid-November.

The NameExoWorlds competition began in July of 2014 when the IAU, the organization in charge of naming celestial objects, chose a group of 260 extrasolar systems that included 305 alien worlds that have well-characterized features.

Earlier this year, astronomy clubs and nonprofit organizations from around the planet began voting to see what 20 of the 260 systems would be opened to the public for voting.  The 20 that were selected contain 32 known alien planets.

Voting is free and you don’t have to register to vote. You can even vote from your smartphone, computer, or tablet, but you can only cast one vote.  To vote on the names for these exoplanets go to: http://nameexoworlds.iau.org/exoworldsvote.

Note that a single click will take care of that particular system’s star and planets – you can’t mix and match. For example, in the matter of the 51 Pegasi system the choices you have are: 51 Pegasi (star) and Epicurus (planet); perasusfeather and soryolen: Umisachi and Yamasachi; Jiguang and Matafeiyan; Appollonis and Neil; Carousel and Carousel Hell b.; Starry Bunnies and Tortoise; Chrysaor and Hydrogen; Helvetios and Dimidium; Carl and Dot; or Mondufemom and Prantriguse. You can only vote for one group of names. You can’t for example, take the name Carousel Hell b and combine it with Helvetios.

While you may not understand why some of the names were chosen, the reason behind each name is given at the voting site. So what are you waiting for? Go cast your vote!

Source: http://locklip.com/your-help-is-needed-to-name-32-alien-worlds/