Did you hear about #Oumuamua, the first interstellar object that just missed us? It was discovered back on 19 October 2017 and is considered a new class of interstellar objects. You may wonder (or not) how it was named. Oumuamua (meaning “scout” in Hawaiian) was designated by the International Astronomical Union, which assigns designations for astronomical objects. Oumaumau should not be confused with “Oh Mama” which the astronomer who first saw the object is rumored to have said. Nor should it be confused with a phrase that Harvey Weinstein used to say nor with the hit song "Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" from 1962. The name has no relationship to the Mau Mau which was the name of a violent native uprising against the British in Kenyan nor with the Hawaiian Island of Mokumanamana (Necker). Before it was named Oumuamua was selected, the name Rama was considered. How dull.
Rumor has it that the International Astronomical Union now has a super-secret list of names for such object. How do I know it’s super-secret? Have you heard of it? There you go. I was able to obtain a copy of the list from a super-secret confidential source (is there another kind of source?).
Here is the rumored list of names for the next interstellar objects:
1. Nanaumissedus
2. Omghereitcomes
3. Damnthatwasclose
4. Kissuassgoodbye
5. Datonebigguy
6. Easycomeesaygo
7. Wehadagoodrunwhileitlasted
8. Tooclose2call
9. Holymackerel
10. Ugot2bshittingme
If you don’t like these names, suggest another.
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