If a Ninth Planet is discovered in the Outer Solar System, should it be called Hercules?

[INACTIVERedDwarf]

Astronomers have found tantalizing new evidence that strengthens the case for a ninth planet beyond Neptune—but some still doubt its existence. (MAY 22, 2018)​

Why Hercules? Because Hercules was known for his feats of strength, and the Ninth Planet may "hurl" the occasional comet at the inner solar system.

Keeping with the Roman names (Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Vesta, Ceres, etc) would also fit well, with Hercules being the Roman form of Heracles.

I think one current favourite was Persephone, since she was 'kidnapped by Pluto', and brought to the Outer Solar System, or Terminus, god of boundaries.

 

[Grendelsbayne]

Isn't Erebus already in use for a non planet? Or am I thinking of something else?

 

[SPCTRE]

it should be called Pluto, just to rub it the fuck in

 

[INACTIVERedDwarf]

Isn't Erebus already in use for a non planet? Or am I thinking of something else?

You might be thinking of Eris; that sounds similar.

Some of the dwarf planets have Roman names (Ceres), but others were taken from other pantheons

Roman ones: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Ceres, Vesta, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, Uranus, Pluto.

I would personally prefer saving other pantheons for other solar systems. Maybe we can call the planets we eventually settle around Trappist-1 or Proxima Centauri or Luyten's Star after Hindu, Norse, Aztec, etc.

Trappist-1: Brahma, Vishnu (moons: Rama, Krishna, etc), Shiva, etc.

Luyten's Star: Odin, Thor, Freyja, Tyr, Loki, Surtr, etc.

 

[BillJ]

I'd call it "Bob". Fuck the Romans.

 

[Spot261]

it should be called Pluto, just to rub it the fuck in

Goofy would be more subtle?

 

[Spot261]

I'd call it "Bob". Fuck the Romans.

I can't, there are too many of them

 

[Doom Shepherd]

I wouldn’t feel safe calling it Terminus unless we were sure it was the last one in our system.

I picked Persephone.

Somnus might be a good one, god of sleep and dreams.

 

[Riker'sMailbox]

Persephone. It is just a cool name. It was on our list for baby names if my second baby turned out to be a girl. Alas, we have a Patrick instead.

 

[XCV330]

Sol 9.

No one will agree though.

 

[Spot's Meow]

I like Terminus, seems logical to me and easy to pronounce. Persephone is beautiful, but sounds too much like an actual regular woman's name rather than a planet name. I don't really like Hercules because I think of the Disney movie every time I hear it. Same issue with Minerva, I think of Harry Potter...

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Mondas.

 

[Timewalker]

I think Persephone might already be taken, as one of the moons (I don't recall which planet).

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

There is no actual moon called Persephone, but that name was considered for one of Pluto's moons (which ended up being called Charon).

 

[Velocity]

Earth wasn't named after a Roman god or goddess but the name was from a mix of English and Germanic words, so I think a new planet name from a different pantheon could follow that naming convention. I vote for Loki.

 

[Tosk]

Plutoo.

 

[Locutus of Bored]

Planet 9: Fromouttaspace

I voted for Persephone.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Planet McPlanetface

 

[Nerys Myk]

Eccleston

 

[Avro Arrow]

Personally, I've always been pretty partial to Persephone, so that's my pick.

Although I guess Minerva would fit the overall theme better. Or Proserpina, if you wanted a more direct correlation... but I don't really care for that as planet name.