Copernicium: Element 112

Element 112, a non-naturally occurring element created experimentally in 1996 at the Centre for Heavy Ion Research in Germany, has finally been given the official name of Copernicium (symbol Cp) by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC).

Copernicium is named after the 15th century Polish astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.

[As reported by the BBC.]