A nomenclature for individual exocomets

TL;DR

This paper proposes a standardized naming system for individual exocomets to facilitate their identification and study, reflecting recent advancements in observational capabilities.

Contribution

It introduces a novel exocomet nomenclature scheme to uniquely identify observed and future exocomets, addressing a need in the evolving field.

Findings

Proposed a systematic naming scheme for exocomets.

Reviewed information relevant for exocomet nomenclature.

Provided examples of nomenclature for archetypal exocomets.

Abstract

With recent observational advancements, exocomet studies have entered a new era: we have moved from an epoch where exocomets' signatures were analysed to identify their true nature to a new epoch where individual exocomets' detections are studied in detail to characterise the observed bodies. In this context, as with other astronomical objects such as exoplanets and minor bodies in the solar system, a nomenclature system is needed to uniquely identify any observed exocometary body. Here, after outlining the purpose of a nomenclature and its required characteristics, we review the information on exocomets that can be included in the nomenclature. Finally, we propose an exocomet nomenclature scheme to identify the individual exocomets that have been discovered or yet to be discovered. Examples of nomenclature names of a few archetypal exocomets are provided.