This is real, my friends. People are really doing this. There is a petition right now on Change.org to do what the Doctor hasn’t been able to do for the past almost nine years: find Gallifrey. Or, to be more accurate, name Gallifrey. Yes, the newly discovered extrasolar planet, now sporting the unwieldy moniker of HD 106906 b, is in the process of being officially, or honorarily, named Gallifrey, thanks to the power of the people.
Melbourne native Sam Menhennet began the petition a few days ago to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Doctor Who, and wants the human race to forever recognize the impact of the series in astronomy textbooks for years to come. The planet, which was only recently spotted, is eleven times the size of Jupiter. For reference, Jupiter is about 11.5 times the size of the Earth, meaning “Gallifrey” 126.5 times the size of our humble, human-filled rock. It is also 650 Astronomical Units away from its host star, HD 106906 a. An Astronomical Unit is the distance between Earth and our Sun. It currently has the furthest orbit of any planet we know of to date.
The petition currently has just under half of the 100,000 signatures it needs to go before the International Astronomical Union. That’s not that much, really. I figure there are enough Doctor Who fans out there to get this thing all the signatures it needs in a jiffy. Is it important for scientific purposes? Not really, but just like the Doctor, it’d sort of be comforting to know that Gallifrey’s out there somewhere.
Please please please can this happen
I want a planet named gallifrey
Gallifrey stands!
GALLIFREY RAISES!
GALLIFREY RAISES
Whovians, we MUST do this and immortalize our beloved show! Sign me up!
I say do it!!! I love this idea! 🙂
It would be so awesome it be called Gallifrey, for any Dr Who fan or whoven and i would be over the sun if this happens (fingers crossed).
My girlfriend and I, have both vote for this for all of u and us and gud luck to us all with this.
GAL-LIF-REY, GAL-LIF-REY, GAL-LIF-REY!!!
Then do it!!
We still need 25,721 supporters!
http://www.change.org/petitions/international-astronomical-union-to-rename-the-newly-discovered-planet-hd-106906-b-to-gallifrey-in-honour-of-doctor-who-and-its-50-years-even-if-it-s-just-a-second-name-or-officially-recognised-as-also-known-as-gallifrey-gallifreyfound
Where is the petition? i want sign in too. please send me a maiI
YES! rename the planet “GALLIFREY”
Planet of the Time Lords!
YESSSS!!!! rename the planet “GALLIFREY”
Where is the petition? I want to sign!
TOPAZ would be a better name.
please I LOVE DOCTOR WHO AND I WANT IT TO STAND
Neally, it’s not a fake planet – it’s a fictional one. Which means that it is in fact very real within the universe of that particular story. It’s just like saying Hogwarts doesn’t exist – because it does. Remember; Just because it’s happening inside our heads doesn’t mean it’s not real.
Besides as has been said in the article it would be a nice recognition/ birthday present for a show that’s been out there for 50 years (granted, not all of them were on tv) making people happy and changing their lives.
Awwww please!!!
I feel like it is a bit to much to name an actual planet after a fake planet just so nerds can dork out on it.
Not trying to be negative but there has to be a better name for it.
I would totally sign it! GO GALIFREY!!!
It would be so cool if we called it GALIFREY!!