International Astronomical Union

From Wikinfo

[[es:Uni�n Astron�mica Internacional]]

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) unites national astronomical societies from around the world. It is a member of the International_Council_for_Science (ICSU). It is the recognised authority for the naming of stars, planets, asteroids and other celestial bodies and phenomena.

Working groups include the Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature (WGPSN), which maintains the IAU naming conventions for planetary bodies.

The IAU is also responsible for the system of Astronomical Telegrams, although it does not run it.

See also: Planetary nomenclature

External link

• Website of the International Astronomical Union

References

• Adapted from the Wikipedia article, "International_Astronomical_Union" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Astronomical_Union, used under the GNU Free Documentation License