In November, 2022 I was approached by the director for the Jim and Linda Lee Planetarium at ERAU about joining a team of astronomy enthusiasts in the Prescott community to name a planet and star system. I eagerly said yes and the following May it was announced that we were the only team in United States to have our names picked. Read about the amazing story that inspired our names below!
Long ago when animals chose to speak with us, there was a warrior who had a prayer for his people that he wanted to deliver to the Great Spirit. This warrior climbed a mountain as high as he could go, and he came across Yona, the Bear. Yona said, “Two-legged, what are you doing here? You don’t belong here!” The warrior said, “I want to deliver this prayer to the Great Spirit.” Yona was very taken aback by this story and says, “I will take that prayer for you.” He takes the prayer and climbs high up the mountain, as high as he could. When he reached the top there were no more trees except for one, and he saw Awohali, the Eagle, nested up at the top of it. Awohali looked down and said, “Yona, what are you doing here? You don’t belong here.” Yona told Awohali about the prayer, and equally touched, Awohali offers to deliver the prayer. Awohali in Cherokee means “He who flies the highest,” and Awohali flew as high as he could, higher than he ever had before, all the way to the Sun – our star, Noquisi. The Sun looks at the eagle and says, “Awohali, what are you doing here? You don’t belong here.” Awohali tells Noquisi about the prayer and Noquisi says, “I speak with the Great Spirit, give me the prayer and I will deliver it. But first, give me one of your tail feathers.” Awohali reaches back, plucks one, and gives it to Noquisi. Noquisi takes the feather and kisses it. This is why the golden eagle tail feather has a black mark on the tip. Noquisi tells Awohali, “Give this feather to the people so they will know they have a direct connection to the Great Spirit.” For this reason the eagle feather is coveted by most native people.
Patch created by Joshua Ballze, one of the team members and trustee of the Museum of Indigenous People in Prescott, AZ.
This story was so touching that as soon as we heard it, we knew it was the perfect name and story to go with the GJ 436 system. Not only is the Embry-Riddle mascot an eagle, but GJ 436b is known for its exquisite comet-like tale that was likely created by atmospheric stripping of the planet due to how close it orbits around its host star.
Not only was this story loved by IAU, but Yavapai County and the city of Prescott loved the story so much that we got a city proclamation and a city wide holiday known as Awohali and Noquisi day!
The team after receiving the city proclamation outside of the Prescott courthouse