by Gene Simmons recently announced that a crater on Mars has been named after him. He shared the news on Twitter.
The KISS bassist shared a certificate of Mars Map Crater Naming and expressed his excitement about the honor. “Ha! Anything is possible,” Simmons said.
The announcement sparked reactions from fans, with some questioning the circumstances behind the naming. One fan responded with skepticism about the process. Another suggested that the honor should have gone to Ace Frehley, who was known by the nickname “Space Ace” during his time with KISS.
The crater naming represents an unusual honor for the rock musician. It adds a celestial element to his already extensive career achievements.
However, the legitimacy of such naming certificates raises important questions about how celestial features are officially designated. The process of naming features on Mars and other planetary bodies follows strict scientific protocols that differ significantly from commercial naming services.
The International Astronomical Union reported that official naming of Martian features is governed by strict rules that require names to be approved based on scientific interest and usefulness to researchers. Commercial or informal naming, such as purchasing a name, holds no official status and is not recognized by the IAU or the scientific community.
In contrast, NASA’s Mars missions often name small surface features informally for practical communication among mission teams. These names are typically derived from Earth place names to help describe the landscape for rover operations and facilitate scientific discussions.
The distinction between official and commercial naming is crucial for understanding the true nature of such certificates. The Planetary Nomenclature guidelines stated that legitimate feature names must serve scientific purposes and undergo rigorous review processes before receiving official recognition.
Gene Simmons’ crater naming certificate represents a symbolic gesture that highlights the cultural crossover between space exploration and popular culture. However, it likely reflects a private or commercial naming service rather than an official IAU designation, which is reserved for features of genuine scientific importance.
