How do comets get their names?

Answer 1

Comets are named for their discoverers. Astronomers who are comet-watchers (a large percentage of comets are discovered by amateur astronomers) live and work in the hopes of finding a comet and writing their names in the heavens.

For example, the comet that struck the planet Jupiter was named for the two discoverers, Shoemaker and Levy.

Answer 2

The person that discovers it gets to name it. Or if it is an organization they name it by identifing the stuff it is made out of and naming it that way. You can also purchase your very own name for a comet before it comes to earth so you can name it.

Answer 3

Usually they get their name from their radiant - the direction in the sky from which the meteors seem to come.

They are named after the constellation containing the radiant.

For example, the shower with its radiant in the constellation of Perseus is called the Perseid shower.

Answer 4

Comets are typically named based on the person or group who discovered them. Once a comet is discovered, it is given a provisional designation that includes the year of discovery and additional characters. After its orbit is confirmed, the comet is then officially named, often after the discoverer or in some cases, based on specific rules set by the International Astronomical Union.

Answer 5

After Meteors hit the earth they are called meteorites. Meteorites get their name based on the location of their landing.

Answer 6

Comets are named by the person/people who found them.

For example the comet Hale-Bopp was discovered by Alan Hale and Thomas Bopp.