Zappa in nature

January 19, 2005 7:48 PM

Natural phenomena named after Frank Zappa "This series of articles describes a variety of Natural Phenomena - marine, terrestrial and extra-terrestrial - which have been named in honour of Frank Zappa, the smallest being a gene belonging to a bacterium, the largest being an entire planet."
posted by dhruva (13 comments total)

Wonderful link, dhruva. I love the spider. And I also believe Zappa had something to do with yellow snow.
posted by LeLiLo at 7:56 PM on January 19, 2005

This is incredible. If anyone deserves the honor, it'd be F. Z.
posted by taschenrechner at 8:42 PM on January 19, 2005

there's a mount frank zappa in the karakorum, i believe
posted by quarsan at 9:55 PM on January 19, 2005

Well, plus, you know, the object that is in orbit around the Earth and controls the tides is named after his daughter. Right?
posted by geekyguy at 10:07 PM on January 19, 2005

"We especially thank the late Frank Zappa for inspiration and assistance with genetic nomenclature."

My sentiments exactly. Awesome info, dhruva!
posted by rokabiri at 10:09 PM on January 19, 2005

I think they should name this social phenomena on Frank Zappa.
posted by TwelveTwo at 12:24 AM on January 20, 2005

Aggh... I think they should name this social phenomena after Frank Zappa. (Pretend my last comment never happened.)
posted by TwelveTwo at 12:25 AM on January 20, 2005

Pity his own son Dweezil Zappa wasn't named after him.
posted by Tarn at 1:49 AM on January 20, 2005

Dweezil is named after Frank's pet name for his wife's big toe. So run with that one.
posted by jscott at 2:15 AM on January 20, 2005

I guess it's marginally better than "Little Piggy". Great, fun post dhruva!
posted by taz at 3:34 AM on January 20, 2005

I was psyched about the planet until I read that Ringo Starr et al. had already been so honored. That's kind of lowering the bar, wouldn't you say?
posted by soyjoy at 7:25 AM on January 20, 2005

Celebration is in order then... titties and beer all around!
posted by LouReedsSon at 7:50 AM on January 20, 2005

If this hasn't been mentioned lately, there is an excellent "Crossfire" episode from 1986 were Zappa tells John Lofton, (a belligerent conservative pro-censorship dickweed), to kiss his ass, as well as explain why he was against censorship of lyrics.

If you haven't seen it, go and check out FZ in his primal glory.
posted by Enron Hubbard at 11:10 AM on January 20, 2005