TRAPPIST-1: Seven new planets need names

Parents know how difficult it can be to settle on a name for a single child - how about seven?

That's the dilemma facing NASA, which has turned to the public for ideas.

Earlier this week NASA announced the discovery of seven planets orbiting a single star, at least three of them in its habitable zone.

The star's known as TRAPPIST-1, named after the telescope which first spotted it. The planets are currently called b, c, d, e, f, g and h.

NASA posted the call for names on its Twitter account, with the hashtag #7NamesFor7NewPlanets.

Astrophysicist and TV host Neil deGrasseTyson suggested they should be named after the seven dwarfs - Doc, Grumpy, Sleepy, Happy, Bashful, Sneezy and Dopey - since TRAPPIST-1 is a red dwarf star.

One person suggested the days of the week.

Another, the main cast of Friends - plus Chandler's on-again, off-again girlfriend Janice.

Perhaps NASA's a fan of classic rock - one follower suggested Bowie, Hendrix, Presley, Joplin, Harrison, Morrison and Dylan.

The star is 39 light years away.

Newshub.