This headline found in the Friday New York Times on-line: Uranus Satellite Denied Moon
Status. Hmmm.... Mooning and that planet have some strange associations. Well, it WAS a full moon last night

A word-related note:
http://www.cnn.com/2001/TECH/space/12/28/nixed.moon.ap/index.html: A space rock just 25 miles across has failed to win recognition as the 21st moon of the planet Uranus. ... Uranus has 20 confirmed moons that all take their names from characters in the works of William Shakespeare and Alexander Pope.

http://wwwflag.wr.usgs.gov/USGSFlag/Space/nomen/nomen.html, gives the names and sources, per the International Astromonmical Union. (click to Appendix 7). By the Union's convention, all features on these satellites (craters, etc.) are to be named after such characters, places, or spirits. (same site, Appendix 6)

speaking of moons-- at about the seven o'clock postions--and not to far distant.. (at 7 pm it was about 8 fingers width away, but now (11 pm) its only about 3 or 4--(where to my size fingers, the moon is a full fingers width,i.e., i can block it from view by holding up my thumb) is Jupiter.. it is very bright, and can even been seen as a morning star after the sun has risen!

here's hoping you have clear skys!

Anyone ever realize that moon is a palindrome one hump removed?

But there are two-humped moons. I've seen 'em. They're positively Bactrian--or is that Backtrian here?

a palindrome one hump removed?

Or one added, presumably?

edit Indeed, could this be a palindromedary?

Wow posted a long time ago that it's always fullmoon to somebody. In addition to "streaking" there was the practice of displaying the bare buttocks out the window of a moving vehicle, called "mooning". It was showing people "Uranus".

Dr Bill, I suspect that's what Geoff was suggesting in his initial post. In a much more subtle manner than you did, of course.

Dear Annastruffic: Thank you for your much appreciated estimation.

Ooooh! Do we now Dr. Bill Cleopatra call?

Ooooh! Do we now Dr. Bill Cleopatra call?

No...more like Norm Crosby, the malapropic comic. I think that was the good Doctor's malapropism for "moon you!"

I believe the preferred pronunciation of the planet's name is with the accent on the first syllable.
Which creates a different, unfortunate anatomical homonym.

the preferred pronunciation of the planet's name is with the accent on the first syllable

Didn't used to be. It changed overnight when the astronomers discovered a ring around it. Seriously. I was there. I heard it with my own ears. The thought of Walter Cronkite saying "Ring around Uranus" was just too much and some proactive censor caught it, no doubt. Ring around the collar was well known in advertising circles at the time.

No asp in my bosom, please! And, naturally I was using the nice pronunciation of the planet's name. But making sure that Geoff's subtlety did not make his jest unappreciated.

Indeed, Dr. Bill, my intent was as AnnaStrophic stated. The mental image the headline produced in me was of a gibbous display with (that planet) in the middle of it. Odd that it occurred at the time of the ancient Saturnalia! Such Lunatics they were to make such an Earthy comment, which sent the Mercury shooting up in my sphygmomanometer. (Oohhh, try saying that after a couple of pints!)

But there are two-humped moons. I've seen 'em.

Where? At the drive-in theatre, perhaps?

keiva: the preferred pronunciation of the planet's name is with the accent on the first syllable
faldage: Didn't used to be. It changed overnight when the astronomers discovered a ring around it. Seriously. I was there. I heard it with my own ears.

Faldage, I'm conflicted. On the one hand, I vaguely recall that story now that you mention it (and I too originally learned the planet's name with the accent on the second syllable). On the other hand, my 1963 Websters lists the first-syllable accent as the preferred pronunciation -- and googling indicates that the rings weren't discovered until 1977.
http://ringmaster.arc.nasa.gov/uranus/uranus.html

Dear Geoff: Watch the screen.

And the planet is now called Urinous.

Dr Bill, I suspect that's what Keiva was suggesting in his post. In a much more subtle[read:white] manner than you did, of course.

royalties are in the mail, E!