USGS Astrogeology Hot Topics

Martian Crater Formally Named Victoria

nospam@example.com (Jennifer Blue) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 10:16:02 -0700

The name Victoria has been formally approved for the small Martian crater located at 2.05S, 5.5W in Meridiani Planum. For more information, see the list of Martian crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Martian Crater Named Toro

nospam@example.com (Jennifer Blue) — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 07:46:56 -0700

The name Toro has been approved for the Martian crater located at 17.05N, 288.24W. For more information, see the list of Martian crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names and an Amended Theme for Mercury

nospam@example.com (Jennifer Blue) — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 08:04:34 -0700

Fifteen new crater names and an amended theme for montes have been approved for Mercury.

The new crater names are: Amaral, Beckett, Dali, Enwonwu, Glinka, Hovnatanian, Moody, Munch, Navoi, Nawahi, Oskison, Poe, Qi Baishi, Raden Saleh, and Sher-Gil. For more information about these names, see the list of Mercury names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

The theme for montes on Mercury has been amended to "Word for "hot" in various languages." See the list of categories for naming features on planets and satellites for a complete list of themes.

Lacus and Mare Names Approved for Titan

nospam@example.com (Jennifer Blue) — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:30:02 -0700

The names Kivu Lacus and Punga Mare have been approved for use on Titan. For more information, see the Titan Nomenclature Table of Contents in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Two New Crater Names Approved for Earth's Moon

nospam@example.com (Jennifer Blue) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 08:47:08 -0600

The names Haworth and Lenard have been approved for the lunar craters located at 86.8S, 4W, and 85.2N, 105W, respectively. For more information, see the list of Moon crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Martian Crater Named Endeavour

nospam@example.com (Jennifer Blue) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 08:34:11 -0600

The name Endeavour has been approved for the Martian crater located at 2.28S, 5.23W. For more information, see the list of Martian crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Fifth Dwarf Planet Named by the IAU

nospam@example.com (Jennifer Blue) — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 10:27:50 -0600

The name Haumea has been approved for the object previously known as 2003 EL61. There are now five objects in the Solar System classified as dwarf planets: Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Eris, and Makemake.

Haumea's two moons have also been given new names. Hi'iaka (Haumea I) and Namaka (Haumea II) are both daughters of Haumea in Hawaiian mythology.

For more information, see the IAU announcement and the Planet and Satellite Names and Discoverers page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Small Martian Crater

nospam@example.com (Jennifer Blue) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 08:47:17 -0600

The name Bogia has been approved for the Martian crater at 44.3S, 276.84W. For more information, see the list of Martian crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names for Iapetus Surface Features

nospam@example.com (Jennifer Blue) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 14:39:53 -0600

The IAU has approved names for 39 craters, 9 montes, and 1 terra on Iapetus. For more information, see the Iapetus section of the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on Titan

nospam@example.com (Jennifer Blue) — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 09:46:26 -0600

The name Afekan has been approved for the crater on Titan located at 25.8N, 200.3W. For more information, see the list of Titan crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Valles Name on Mars

nospam@example.com (Jennifer Blue) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 09:27:27 -0600

The name Morava Valles has been approved for the system of valleys located at 13.4S, 24.4W. For more information, see the list of Martian vallis names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Small Martian Crater

nospam@example.com (Jennifer Blue) — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 08:43:15 -0600

The name Heimdal has been approved for a small Martian crater near the Phoenix landing site. For more information, see the list of Martian crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Six New Crater Names Approved for Mimas

nospam@example.com (Jennifer Blue) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 09:53:44 -0600

The names Dagonet, Lucas, Marhaus, Melyodas, Nero, and Royns have been approved for six craters on Mimas. For more information, see the list of Mimas crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

(136472) 2005 FY9 Named Makemake

nospam@example.com (Jennifer Blue) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:14:39 -0600

The name Makemake has been approved for the transneptunian dwarf planet (136472) 2005 FY9. Makemake is a creator god of Rapa Nui (Easter Island). For more information, see the page "Planet and Satellite Names and Discoverers" in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature, and the IAU press release.

Four New Crater Names Approved for use on Mars

nospam@example.com (Jennifer Blue) — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 09:14:29 -0600

The names Corinto, Naryn, Thila, and Wiltz have been approved for four craters on Mars. Please see the list of Martian crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.