This week, 31 exoplanets have been given names, and Star Wars has been revealed to have a fascinating connection to drugs and other real planets. The most notable of the newly named planets are Arion, Copernicus, and Spe.
International Astronomical Union Announces Names for 14 New Stars and Exoplanets
The organization has replaced many sciencey names like PSR 1257+12 with much easily associated ones. How were these names chosen? Over 500,000 people from around the world cast their votes on one of 274 suggested names for exoplanets and stars. These names came from global astronomy organizations from all over the world, creating the NameExoWorlds Contest.
Most Exoplanets and Stars Names Were Inspired by Latin and Greek Myths
Run by the International Astronomical Union, the organization decided to let the people pick the official names of the celestial bodies. From the pool of winners was Veritate (‘truth’ in Latin), and the planet Spe (‘hope’ in Latin). These names were suggested by the Thunder Bay Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. Other notable names of stars and planets include Calawan, Dagon, Fafnir, Metztli, Phobetor, Samh, and Tadmor.
Speaking of Stars, Star Wars Hits Theatres this Week!
The latest installment of Star Wars is having a worldwide premiere this week, and as such, it’s only fair to talk about their planets in connection to the naming of some of our own. Are these astronomical bodies based on real life planets?
Hoth, for one, bears a resemblance to frozen, rocky planets found in our universe. While some relate it to the winter season, it does remind the astronomy community of small objects spotted with icy bodies in our solar system. Hoth is home to the Rebel Alliance’s secret base, and it’s quite a popular planet among Star Wars fans because of the film The Empire Strikes Back
Tatooine, Endor, and Naboo Are Also Favorites
Tatooine is another crowd favorite, being the desert planet where Luke Skywalker grew up. The planet is characterized for having twin suns in its skies, whose sunset became one of the most iconic film shots in sci-fi film history.
The planet Endor and its moon, home of the Ewoks, is also a widespread favorite. It was the location of the final battle in Return of the Jedi and perhaps the most believable of all the worlds in Star Wars.
Other notable planets that may not necessarily be favorites are Mustafar, featured in Episode III and Naboo, home of Queen Padme Amidala. Another planet definitely worth mentioning is Corellia, home of Han Solo.
The Connection Between Star Wars and Drugs Might Surprise You
If some of you are thinking of hitting a joint before going to see the film in theaters, you’ll be surprised to know that it’s been done since the 1970s. An excerpt from a piece by J. Hoberman takes us on a nice journey on how marijuana was circulated back in the 1970s and 1980s.
Who, Hoberman writes, wouldn’t want to smoke up or do some drugs while gazing up at an engaging space age film with incredible color and lasers? There’s obviously something really attractive about combining stars in hyperspace, an amazing soundtrack, green men, and pot.
There Are Marijuana Strains Named After Star Wars Characters
To solidify the connection, there are pot strains named Princess Leia, Ewoks, Vader and even Yoda. Spice, an up and coming synthetic form of marijuana, is also a kind of drug referenced in the Star Wars films. There is a lot that can be tied back to Star Wars, since it was such an iconic piece of pop culture, of film and of science fiction.
There are actually a lot of movies that would benefit from a joint and a lot of other drugs; there are also many movies who promote it. The association of Star Wars and drugs may seem strange, but if you really think about it, it also makes a lot of sense. While smoking in theaters isn’t allowed anymore, perhaps a marathon screening from home right before going to see the movie will best prepare you for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
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Exoplanets, Star Wars and Drugs: All You Need to Know About Space
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