Earth’s Quasi-Moon Finally Has A Name, Honoring The Roman Goddess Of… Hinges

Earth’s Quasi-Moon Gets a Name: Meet Cardea, the Roman Goddess of Doorways

In a celestial nod to ancient Roman mythology, one of Earth’s seven quasi-moons has been christened "Cardea." This newly named asteroid, previously known as 2004 GU9, is now associated with the deity of doors and thresholds, known for her particular focus on hinges.

But don’t mistake Cardea for a genuine satellite like our Moon. Instead, it’s a freelance traveler around the Sun, appearing to orbit Earth due to its unique trajectory. This cosmic cosmic threshold will continue to hang out near us until at least the 2600s.

Cardea’s moniker came from a public voting process, where over 10,000 people weighed in on seven finalist names. The contest, organized by WNYC’s RadioLab and the International Astronomical Union (IAU), received global attention.

Cardea’s story is fitting, as the Roman goddess didn’t just watch over doors; she also symbolized transitions and passages. The asteroid, measuring around 160 meters (524 feet) in diameter, never gets closer than millions of kilometers from Earth – a distant but constant presence in our celestial backyard.

Before Cardea, only one quasi-moon, Kamoʻoalewa, had an official name. Let’s hope the remaining five find equally fitting titles in the future.

The other finalist names were:

• Bakunawa: A Filipino dragon that swallows the Moon
• Ehaema: The Mother Twilight from Estonian Folklore
• Enkidu: Gilgamesh’s noble companion in Sumerian mythology
• Ótr: A Norse dwarf who navigated boundaries between realms
• Tarriaksuk: Inuit shadow beings that mirror humans
• Tecciztecatl: The Aztec lunar god appointed due to a hesitant leap

A diverse panel of astrophysicists, science communicators, and actors, including Dr. Sofia Rojas, Bill Nye, and Tony Award nominee Celia Rose Gooding, helped select the final seven candidates. Hopefully, these rich tales from various cultures will inspire more celestial naming ceremonies.