NASA will stop using derogatory names for space objects

Some 5,000 light-years from Earth, there's a picturesque, dying star that's shedding its mighty gaseous layers. Until recently, NASA referred to this deep space object, known as a planetary nebula, as the "Eskimo Nebula."

Not anymore.

The space agency announced Wednesday that it's scrutinizing and reviewing the nicknames for cosmic objects with derogatory names. The decision comes as both the sciences and greater society confront the ingrained use of names that are overtly racist, harmful, or historically repugnant. NASA's move follows the continued, momentous fallout from protests against police officers who have unjustly or horrifically killed Black people, such as (but not nearly limited to) Breonna Taylor, Elijah McClain, and George Floyd.

"As the scientific community works to identify and address systemic discrimination and inequality in all aspects of the field, it has become clear that certain cosmic nicknames are not only insensitive, but can be actively harmful," wrote NASA.

NASA will start with two cosmic objects:

• The “Eskimo Nebula": NASA will stop using this name for planetary nebula NGC 2392. "'Eskimo' is widely viewed as a colonial term with a racist history, imposed on the indigenous people of Arctic regions," explains NASA.

• The "Siamese Twins Galaxy": NASA will now refer to this pair of spiral galaxies with their official astronomical names, NGC 4567 and NGC 4568. (Chang and Eng Bunker were Siamese-American conjoined twins who were publicly exhibited in the 1800s. The term was later used in a racist fashion in the Disney film Lady and the Tramp.)

For other galaxies, nebula, and cosmic objects with racist or harmful names, NASA says it will now "use only the official, International Astronomical Union designations in cases where nicknames are inappropriate."

NGC 2392 , formerly known as the "Eskimo Nebula." Credit: nasa

When inoffensive, nicknames for jargony cosmic objects are helpful and easy to digest. "But often seemingly innocuous nicknames can be harmful and detract from the science," NASA explained.

"These nicknames and terms may have historical or culture connotations that are objectionable or unwelcoming, and NASA is strongly committed to addressing them," NASA's associate administrator for Diversity and Equal Opportunity, Stephen T. Shih, said in a statement.