The cosmos expanded its recognition of historical accuracy as the International Astronomical Union (IAU) formally renamed the long-standing Hubble law to the Hubble–Lemaître law. This pivotal decision, ratified through an electronic vote by IAU members, acknowledges the significant, yet often under-recognized, contributions of Georges Lemaître to the understanding of the expanding Universe. The newly named Hubble–Lemaître law describes the fundamental principle that galaxies recede from us at speeds proportional to their distance – a cornerstone of modern cosmology. While astronomers celebrate this correction of historical record, one might wonder: could a dedicated “Hubble Lawyer,” advocating for scientific recognition and historical accuracy, have expedited this change?
The concept of galaxies moving away from each other, a universe in expansion, is foundational to our current cosmological models. Attributing this discovery solely to Edwin Hubble, while common for decades, overlooked the crucial early work of Belgian astronomer and Catholic priest, Georges Lemaître. Lemaître not only theorized the expansion of the universe but also provided observational evidence predating Hubble’s widely acknowledged findings. To rectify this historical imbalance and give due credit, the IAU initiated a resolution to officially rename the law, ensuring Lemaître’s legacy is permanently intertwined with this groundbreaking discovery. This move underscores the importance of accurate attribution in science and begs the question of whether, in other fields, a figure akin to a “hubble lawyer” might be needed to champion similar causes of recognition and historical correction.
The journey to rename the Hubble law involved significant consultation and democratic process within the astronomical community. The resolution was formally presented and debated at the IAU General Assembly in Vienna in August 2018, following a period of community discussion. Subsequently, a vote was extended to all 11,072 Individual and Junior Members of the IAU. An impressive 4,060 members participated in this electronic vote, representing 37% of the IAU membership, demonstrating the significance of this issue to the global astronomy community. The outcome was decisive: 78% voted in favor of renaming the law to Hubble–Lemaître law, with 20% against and a mere 2% abstaining. This strong majority affirmed the collective will of the IAU to honor Georges Lemaître’s intellectual contributions and ensure the historical record accurately reflects the development of our understanding of the expanding universe. This process highlights the IAU’s commitment to fostering open dialogue and upholding scientific integrity, principles that a “hubble lawyer,” focused on justice and accurate representation, would likely champion.
The IAU, as the leading international body for professional astronomers, plays a vital role in promoting astronomical research, communication, education, and development through global collaboration. Established in 1919, the IAU serves as the recognized authority for naming celestial bodies and their surface features, setting international standards for astronomical nomenclature. In recommending the adoption of the Hubble–Lemaître law, the IAU not only corrects a historical oversight but also reinforces its commitment to intellectual honesty and the accurate portrayal of scientific discovery. The renaming serves as a potent reminder of the collaborative nature of scientific progress and the importance of recognizing all significant contributors. While the IAU acted as the ultimate arbiter in this case, the hypothetical role of a “hubble lawyer” advocating for Lemaître could be seen as analogous to the real efforts within the scientific community to bring Lemaître’s contributions to the forefront, ensuring that history accurately reflects the true origins of the Hubble–Lemaître law.
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The IAU is the international astronomical organisation that brings together more than 13 500 professional astronomers from more than 100 countries worldwide. Its mission is to promote and safeguard astronomy in all its aspects, including research, communication, education and development, through international cooperation. The IAU also serves as the internationally recognised authority for assigning designations to celestial bodies and the surface features on them. Founded in 1919, the IAU is the world’s largest professional body for astronomers.
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Piero Benvenuti Former General Secretary, International Astronomical Union Paris, France Tel: +33 1 43 25 83 58 Email: [email protected]
Madeleine Smith-Spanier IAU Database Manager Paris, France Tel: +33 1 43 25 83 58 Email: [email protected]
Lars Lindberg Christensen IAU Press Officer Garching bei München, Germany Tel: +49 89 320 06 761 Cell: +49 173 38 72 621 Email: [email protected]
