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NASA is dropping racially insensitive nicknames from cosmic objects

Cosmic objects sometimes get informal nicknames because their official names are often just numbers and letters, or are named for the astronomer or telescope that discovered them.

NASA, deeming such names as "Eskimo Nebula" and "Siamese Twins Galaxy" as insensitive, is now re-examining its use of unofficial terms for cosmic objects.

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

NASA said that nicknames are often more approachable and public-friendly than official names for cosmic objects, such as Barnard 33, whose nickname "the Horsehead Nebula" invokes its appearance. "But often seemingly innocuous nicknames can be harmful and detract from the science," NASA said.

For example, the "Eskimo Nebula" will now be referred to by its official name NGC 2392, since "'Eskimo' is widely viewed as a colonial term with a racist history, imposed on the indigenous people of Arctic regions," NASA said.

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And the agency will also no longer use the term “Siamese Twins Galaxy” to refer to NGC 4567 and NGC 4568, a pair of spiral galaxies found in the Virgo Galaxy Cluster. This is an outdated term that describes conjoined twins.

“Our goal is that all names are aligned with our values of diversity and inclusion, and we’ll proactively work with the scientific community to help ensure that," said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator of NASA’s science mission directorate. "Science is for everyone, and every facet of our work needs to reflect that value,” he said.

NASA will work with diversity, inclusion and equity experts in the astronomical and physical sciences to provide guidance and recommendations for other nicknames and terms for review.

"Science depends on diverse contributions, and benefits everyone, so this means we must make it inclusive,” Shih said.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NASA drops insensitive names for cosmic objects