Irene?

[numberPI]

Hi, im new to physicsforums.com
I was just discussing with a friend that says that the real or technical name for the moon is Irene. I don't really know any about this :grumpy: ... can anyone help?

[Math Is Hard]

uhh.. I thought it was Luna..?

[numberPI]

yeah, Luna is moon in spanish, but my friend argues the technical name for the moon is Irene.

[Math Is Hard]

Take a look at this site:
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/space_mailbag_moon_030725-1.html

"Quite a few readers were somewhat taken aback by the whole suggestion that the Moon needs a name. It's "Luna," they state flatly, and always has been. In our very unofficial count, Luna beat Moon by nearly 2:1"

Sounds like the jury's still out!

[marcus]

yeah, Luna is moon in spanish, but my friend argues the technical name for the moon is Irene.

Irene comes from the greek word for peace, IIRC.

It is not the technical name for the earth's moon. that is, astronomers do not use the name Irene for the earth's moon.

However your friend has a perfect right to call the moon Irene and i like this name for it very much---please relay compliments and congratulations on such an excellent naming of the moon.


Luna is the Latin word for the moon. Just as Terra is the Latin for Earth.
Selene is Greek for moon.
Maybe he was thinking of Selene and accidentally said Irene.

[numberPI]

ohhh ok!! thanks marcus and math is hard for your help!!