New element named 'copernicium'

[dipsydoodle]

Discovered 13 years ago, and officially added to the periodic table just weeks ago, element 112 finally has a name.

It will be called "copernicium", with the symbol Cp, in honour of the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.

Copernicus deduced that the planets revolved around the Sun, and finally refuted the belief that the Earth was the centre of the Universe.

The team of scientists who discovered the element chose the name to honour the man who "changed our world view".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8153596.stm

Countries with high levels of learning difficulties are expected to change the spelling to copernicum. :sarcasm:

[valerief]

1. I wonder if teaching about it will be banned in Kansas and Florida. nt

[Ilsa]

2. They'll probably claim it is really Ptolemeum. nt

[valerief]

3. Or Jesusium. nt