StarHash: unique, memorable, and deterministic names for astronomical objects

TL;DR

StarHash introduces a reproducible, memorable, and precise naming scheme for astronomical objects using a geohash-inspired system with three words per sky patch.

Contribution

It presents a novel open-source naming scheme based on geohashing, tailored for astronomy, with a Python implementation and pre-computed catalog names.

Findings

Provides a unique three-word identifier for each sky patch.

Reduces ambiguity with a curated wordlist.

Minimizes spatial correlation using format-preserving encryption.

Abstract

The naming of astronomical objects has represented among the most significant challenges in the record-keeping of the field since the very beginning. Long and unwieldy coordinate names, uninformative and ambiguous internal names, and the sheer volume of aliases accumulated for some of the most studied objects conspire to complicate our study of the celestial sphere. This paper proposes StarHash, a reproducible, open-source astronomical naming scheme based on the terrestrial concept of geohashing, but re-implemented from the ground up for the rigorous demands of astronomy. Every 3.2 arcsec patch of sky now has three words associated with it, enabling the precise localisation of astronomical sources, and an easily communicable and memorable identifier. A carefully selected wordlist reduces ambiguity due to plurals and homophones, whilst the use of format-preserving encryption minimises residual spatial correlation in StarHash-derived identifiers. Pre-computed names for several existing catalogues are provided, alongside a Python reference implementation for validation and integration into databases, transient brokers, and other similar projects. Although not intended to be the final word in the naming of astronomical objects, StarHash humbly provides a memorable alternative to the status quo, and is intended to spark a discussion about this most foundational of issues in astronomy.