A festive ceremony of the inauguration of elements 115 and 118 named “moscovium” and “oganesson” will be held on 2 March 2017 in the RAS Central Scientists’ Club, Moscow. The ceremony will be attended by leading scientists in the field of synthesis of superheavy elements.

On 30 November 2016, the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry approved the names of the elements 113, 115, 117, and 118: Nihonium (Nh), Moscovium (Mc), Tennessine (Ts), and Oganesson (Og).

Moscovium is named in recognition of the Moscow region that is the home of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, where many superheavy elements synthesed. The name oganesson for element 118 recognizes Professor Yuri Oganessian for his pioneering contributions to transactinoid elements research. His many achievements include the discovery of superheavy elements and significant advances in the nuclear physics of superheavy nuclei including experimental evidence for the “island of stability”.

Earlier on 27 January 2017, the “inauguration” of element 117 named “tennessine” in honour of the state of Tennessee was held in the United States and element 118 “nihonium” which was named in honour of Japan will be “inaugurated” on 14 March in Tokyo.