Science

Please Welcome Eris

When asked which lady started the Trojan War, many fingers may point to the chick who launched a thousand ships, Helen. They are wrong. Helen was but a passive object who did nothing, only having had things done to her. No, the girl who really started all the trouble was Eris, aka Strife, aka goddess of Discord. She was the wily gal who rolled the golden apple to Paris’ feet with the instruction to give it to the most beautiful, forcing him to choose between politics (Hera), war (Athena), or love (Aphrodite). He chose one but got all three. Eris, that sly fox.

All that is just to say, the astronomical object casually known as Xena, formerly known as 2003 UB313, once on the cusp of planethood, currently relegated to the category of dwarf planet, is now officially known as Eris.

Or so says my buddy the Bad Astronomer just a few moments ago.

Rebecca Watson

Rebecca is a writer, speaker, YouTube personality, and unrepentant science nerd. In addition to founding and continuing to run Skepchick, she hosts Quiz-o-Tron, a monthly science-themed quiz show and podcast that pits comedians against nerds. There is an asteroid named in her honor. Twitter @rebeccawatson Mastodon mstdn.social/@rebeccawatson Instagram @actuallyrebeccawatson TikTok @actuallyrebeccawatson YouTube @rebeccawatson BlueSky @rebeccawatson.bsky.social

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