Awohali
Awohali is an IAU name for an exoplanet. Its host star is Noquisi in the constellation of Leo. Suggested by the country of United States, it follows the name theme The Cherokee legend of the eagle feather and Cherokee terms associated with celestial objects.
Etymology and History
“Awohali” (ᎠᏬᎭᎵ, Ah-Wo-Ha-Lee) is one of the Cherokee words for “eagle”. According to Cherokee legend, an eagle flew to the Sun to deliver a prayer for a warrior. In delivering the prayer to the Sun, the Sun kissed the tail feather of the eagle and had him return the feather to the warrior as a symbol of the connection between his people and the Great Spirit. Awohali’s sun-kissed tail feather alludes to the comet-like cloud of evaporating atmosphere detected around the exoplanet GJ 436 b.
Mythology
IAU Working Group on Star Names
The name was adopted by the IAU WGSN in the 20xx NameExoWorlds Campaign (NEWC).
Weblinks
- Website of the IAU WGSN: https://exopla.net/
