Rochelimit's Symbology of Astronomy: So it will be Vanth

S/1 (90482) (2005) Vanth

Discovered 13 Nov 2005 by M.E. Brown and T.-A Suer.

Vanth is a daimon in Etruscan mythology who guides the dead to the underworld. She often appears on tomb paintings and sarcophagi where she is depicted with wings and a torch, and she is frequently shown in the presence of Charun, a guard of the underworld. Name suggested by Sonya Taaffe.

I have to say I really like it … it suits extremely well, and it is the number one proposed name for the new moon and also suggested by me in 1 90482 (2005) Needs a Name. But well of course, some of us are still waiting for a large celestial body to be named after Persephone (whether it is Proserpina, Phersipnai, Prosperina). Well until then we are still waiting for Pluto’s wife to make her appearance.

There are thousands of suggestion for the Orcus’s Moon, and out of those suggestions, Vanth is chosen. And so I say let us commemorates some of the good and silly names suggested for the new moon of Orcus.

The Good Names

(left) Phlegyas riding his boat with Dante and Virgil. (right) Cerberus in an Etruscan vase. For other gods picture see my previous blog 1 90482 (2005) Needs a Name

Vanth (winner!)
Phlegyas (equivalent of Charon, ferrying souls across the Styx)
Proserpina (wife of Orcus (I believe this is the correct spelling of what Mike Brown refers to))
Cerberus (“Orcus’ warder” (Virgil))
Charun (demonic counterpart of Charon)

The Silly Names