Woke Astronomers Demand Renaming of Magellanic Clouds
Published Nov. 3, 2023, 6:59 p.m. ET
A coalition of astronomers is advocating for a name change for the Milky Way’s closest neighboring galaxies, arguing that the current namesakes, the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, was a “murderer” and had no connection to their discovery. This renaming effort is being spearheaded by Dr. Mia de los Reyes, an assistant professor of astronomy at Amherst College in Massachusetts. In an op-ed published in the journal APS Physics, de los Reyes outlines the case for the proposed moniker switch, emphasizing the need to address the violent colonialist legacy attached to the current names.
According to de los Reyes, the beauty and significance of these well-studied satellite galaxies are diminished by their association with Magellan, who she claims was a colonizer, slaver, and murderer. Furthermore, Magellan was not an astronomer and was not responsible for documenting the two galaxies, which had already been named and known by indigenous people in the Southern Hemisphere thousands of years before Magellan’s expedition.
Dr. Mia de los Reyes argues that the Magellanic Clouds should be renamed because they were not discovered by Magellan. She highlights that indigenous peoples had their own names and legends for these systems that predate Magellan. Previously, the galaxies were referred to as “Clouds of the Cape,” “Nubecula Minor,” and “Nubecula Major.”
Supporting de los Reyes’ argument is David Hogg, a professor of physics and data science at NYU. Hogg asserts that Magellan’s notorious character is not the primary issue with the current names, but rather the fact that he had no role in discovering the galaxies. Hogg further states that there are no compelling reasons to oppose the renaming, as Magellan’s name is attached to the galaxies despite his lack of connection to them.
Despite Magellan’s lack of contribution to the discovery of the galaxies, his name appears in numerous academic articles and is associated with various celestial bodies and telescopes. De los Reyes points out that his name is found on over 17,000 peer-reviewed articles, craters on the moon and Mars, the NASA Magellan spacecraft, the twin 6.5-m Magellan telescopes, and recently, the Giant Magellan Telescope under construction.
Magellan’s historical reputation as a daring explorer is tarnished by his brutal treatment of native populations. De los Reyes highlights first-hand accounts of his expedition, which describe enslavement of indigenous people in Argentina and the destruction of villages and killings in Guam and the Philippines.
De los Reyes argues that naming objects after individuals is a way to honor their discoveries, accomplishments, or the values they symbolize. However, Magellan made no astronomical contributions and continues to represent imperialist and anti-Indigenous violence for many. As of now, approximately 50 astronomers have endorsed the renaming campaign, with an additional 50 expressing interest in supporting it.
The proposed name change will be submitted to the International Astronomical Union for a vote. Suggestions for alternative names include “Meridional” and “Milky,” which would allow astronomers to continue using the commonly used LMC and SMC acronyms.
This renaming proposal echoes similar initiatives to change names associated with objectionable figures. For instance, a recent effort to rename the James Webb Space Telescope was undertaken due to allegations against its namesake, James Webb, for overseeing the persecution of LGTBQ+ employees. However, an internal investigation cleared Webb of any involvement in the “Lavender Scare.”
Renaming efforts have also extended beyond scientific realms, with campaigns seeking to change names of geographic locations, buildings, military installations, and holidays honoring controversial historical figures. The American Ornithological Society recently announced plans to rename bird species named after people to eliminate names “clouded by racism and misogyny.”
