A discordant name for a dwarf planet
By Ron Cowen
The largest known object at the fringes of the solar system, the icy body whose discovery heated up the debate about planethood, has an apt new name.
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) announced on Sept. 14 that the body, which had provisionally been called UB 313 and nicknamed Xena, would now be officially called Eris, after the Greek goddess of discord and strife. Furthermore, Eris’ moon has been designated Dysnomia, the goddess of lawlessness.