Department of Astronomy 2023-2024 DEI Series Presents:
Dr. Mia de los Reyes, Assistant Professor, Amherst College
"Renaming the Magellanic Clouds"
The two brightest satellite galaxies of the Milky Way are most commonly referred to as the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. However, Indigenous communities around the world have known of the Clouds for centuries—far before the first Western explorers catalogued them. Furthermore, Ferdinand Magellan (for whom the Clouds are named) was a controversial historical figure and is considered by many communities to be a symbol of a violent colonial era. In this talk, I will explain several reasons why astronomers should rename these galaxies. I will also discuss an ongoing movement to rename the Clouds, including a proposed resolution that will be voted on at the IAU General Assembly this year.
The two brightest satellite galaxies of the Milky Way are most commonly referred to as the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds. However, Indigenous communities around the world have known of the Clouds for centuries—far before the first Western explorers catalogued them. Furthermore, Ferdinand Magellan (for whom the Clouds are named) was a controversial historical figure and is considered by many communities to be a symbol of a violent colonial era. In this talk, I will explain several reasons why astronomers should rename these galaxies. I will also discuss an ongoing movement to rename the Clouds, including a proposed resolution that will be voted on at the IAU General Assembly this year.
| Building: | West Hall |
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| Website: | |
| Event Type: | Lecture / Discussion |
| Tags: | astronomy, astrophysics |
| Source: | Happening @ Michigan from Department of Astronomy, Michigan Institute for Research in Astrophysics |
