Lowell Observatory Pushes To Name an Asteroid "Trayvon" 588
Flash Modin writes "The observatory where Pluto was discovered is pushing to name an asteroid after a black teenager killed in a controversial confrontation in Florida last year. William Lowell Putnam III says his family has identified with the cause of African American rights, and thus an asteroid named after Trayvon Martin is perfectly appropriate. Putnam is the sole trustee of the observatory, which was founded by Percival Lowell during his search for canals on Mars. Astronomers at the observatory discovered the asteroid in 2000, but it has not been formally named. Putnam has already asked the Minor Planet Center once to designate the asteroid 'Trayvon,' but they told him the designation was 'premature.' Now that there's been a verdict, the observatory is reapplying in hopes the naming body will see things different."
How about that (Score:5, Funny)
It's being followed by a pale asteroid named Zimmerman.
Crazy fools. (Score:0, Funny)
You've got to be kidding me. Lets name some stuff after Hitler too.
It is heading straignt towards Earth! (Score:4, Funny)
From TFA (Score:3, Funny)
"When Putnam originally suggested the name to Minor Planet Center, they responded, "That's real retarded, sir."
Re:no (Score:2, Funny)
Imagine an asteroid named Fight Club. Now, do you really want to talk about that? :-)