'Shiva Shakti': How naming celestial feature after religious figures is seen as departure from secular approach

Hyderabad: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to name the Chandrayaan-3 touchdown site on the Moon as `Shiva Shakti Point' has stirred up a debate on the practice of christening points on celestial bodies and its implications.

The Tradition of Naming Celestial Features

Naming celestial features is a tradition that dates back centuries. It allows humans to personalize and humanize the vast, unknown realms of space. Planets, stars, craters, and even mountains on other celestial bodies have been named by various space agencies and organizations based on specific conventions.

The Power of Names

Names have a profound influence on our perception and understanding of places. They carry cultural, historical, and sometimes political significance.

On Earth, place names often reflect the heritage, beliefs, or aspirations of the people who inhabit or discover them. Similarly, names assigned to features on celestial bodies can be a reflection of our values and perspectives as a species.

Chandrayaan-3's Moon Exploration

Chandrayaan-3, India's ambitious lunar mission, achieved a significant milestone by successfully landing a rover on the Moon.

As per established naming conventions, the country that sends a task to a celestial body usually gets the honor of naming its landing sites. In this spirit, Prime Minister Modi announced the name "Shiva Shakti Point" for the Chandrayaan-2 touchdown site and "Tiranga Point" for the location where the Chandrayaan-2 lander had crash-landed.

The Controversy Surrounding "Shiva Shakti Point"

The naming of the touchdown site as "Shiva Shakti Point" has ignited controversy due to its religious connotations. Shiva and Shakti are revered deities in Hinduism, and their names hold deep spiritual significance for millions of people. Naming a celestial feature after religious figures can be seen as a departure from the scientific and secular approach that space exploration typically adheres to.

Balancing Tradition and Secularism

The controversy raises questions about the balance between tradition and secularism in the context of space exploration. While recognizing cultural and national pride is essential, it is equally vital to maintain the scientific and apolitical nature of space exploration. Naming features on celestial bodies after deities or religious figures can be seen as blurring the lines between religion and science.

The Precedent Set by Chandrayaan-1

India has a history of naming celestial features after notable figures. In 2008, the Chandrayaan-1 Moon Impact Probe (MIP) hard-landed near Shackleton Crater, and the site was named "Jawahar Point" in honor of India's first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. This precedent shows that naming conventions have sometimes incorporated political or national figures.

The Ongoing Debate

The naming of celestial features will likely continue to be a topic of debate as space exploration advances. Striking the right balance between recognizing cultural and national achievements while upholding scientific principles and secular values is a complex task.

As we venture further into space and explore new frontiers, decisions about naming conventions will shape our perception of the cosmos and reflect our values as a global society. Whether it's "Shiva Shakti Point" on the Moon or future names on Mars, these decisions hold significance beyond their astronomical contexts and symbolize our evolving relationship with the universe.

Decoding the Scientific Protocol for Naming Space Landing Sites

The naming of space landing sites, particularly on celestial bodies like the Moon or Mars, follows a scientific protocol to ensure consistency, clarity, and accuracy in labeling these locations.

These protocols are typically established and maintained by organizations responsible for space exploration, such as NASA for U.S. missions and the International Astronomical Union (IAU) for international standards.

Here's an overview of the general scientific protocol for naming space landing sites:

Country of Origin: The country responsible for the space mission usually has the privilege of proposing names for landing sites. For instance, NASA names landing sites for U.S. missions, while other space agencies name sites for their respective missions.

Approval Process: The proposed names for landing sites go through an approval process that may involve a review by a designated committee or organization. This process ensures that names meet established criteria and do not conflict with existing names on the celestial body.

Geographic Criteria: Names are often based on geographic or geological features near the landing site. For example, a landing site near a prominent crater might be named after that crater.

Scientific Significance: Names may reflect the scientific objectives of the mission or commemorate key individuals or events related to the mission. For example, a landing site might be named after a famous scientist or the mission's purpose.

Avoiding Duplicate Names: It's essential to prevent duplicate names for different features on the same celestial body. This ensures clarity and avoids confusion.

Local Language: Landing site names are often chosen to reflect the local language or culture associated with the mission. For example, a landing site on Mars might have a name inspired by the indigenous language of the country responsible for the mission.

Recording and Documentation: Once a name is approved, it is recorded and documented for future reference. These names become part of the official record for that celestial body.

International Standards: For missions involving multiple countries or international collaboration, the IAU provides guidelines and standards for naming celestial features. This helps ensure consistency and prevent conflicts.

Updating and Revising: In some cases, names may be updated or revised based on discoveries or a better understanding of the landing site's geology. This process allows for the refinement of naming conventions over time.

Public Engagement: Some space agencies involve the public in the naming process through contests or outreach efforts, allowing citizens to suggest and vote on names for landing sites.

It's important to note that while landing sites often receive official names, many features on celestial bodies remain informally referred to by their geographic coordinates or technical designations.

Scientific protocols for naming space landing sites aim to strike a balance between honoring achievements and providing explicit, standardized references for researchers and the public interested in space exploration.