Here's your chance to name some of the first JWST targets - Space.com

To mark the 10th anniversary of its Office for Astronomy Outreach, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) is holding a contest to name 20 exoplanetary systems that the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will observe.

(The IAU is responsible for all names in space.) The competition, NameExoWorlds 2022, seeks to bring together professional astronomers and the wider public to offer the opportunity to name 20 selected exoplanets, along with their host stars, while also creating links from space science to various cultures on Earth.

Teams will also receive support from IAU National Outreach Coordinators (NOCs).

Frst, a national selection panel led by NOCs will select a national candidate and two backup names.

— Gallery: James Webb Space Telescope's 1st photos.

"It is exciting to have a new NameExoWorlds competition underway to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Office for Astronomy Outreach," Debra Elmegreen, IAU President, said in a statement.

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He began writing for Space.com in 2019 and writes for SpaceNews, IEEE Spectrum, National Geographic, Sky & Telescope, New Scientist and others. Andrew first caught the space bug when, as a youngster, he saw Voyager images of other worlds in our solar system for the first time. Away from space, Andrew enjoys trail running in the forests of Finland. You can follow him on Twitter @AJ_FI (opens in new tab)

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