Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

Nomenclature News

  • Two Names Approved for Pluto: Belton Regio and Safronov Regio

    The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved two new feature names for Pluto: Belton Regio and Safronov Regio. For more information, please see the Pluto nomenclature map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

    • Pluto
  • New Name for Europa Feature: Pasiphae Linea

    The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Pasiphae Linea for a feature on Europa

    • Europa
  • Io Eruptive Center Shen Yi Renamed Xihe

    The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has renamed an eruptive center on Io. In response to public comment, the name Shen Yi has been dropped, and the feature given a new name, Xihe

    • Io
  • Name Approved for Mars Crater: Picardi

    The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Picardi for a large crater on Mars. For more information, please see the feature name page and the MC-16 quad map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

    • Mars
  • Names Approved for Lunar Craters: Burbidge and Floss

    The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for two lunar craters, Burbidge and Floss. For more information, please see the feature name pages and the LAC-144 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

    • Moon
  • Name Approved for Io: Olafat Patera

    The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Olafat Patera for a feature on Io. For more information, please see the Io nomenclature map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

    • Io
  • Name Approved for Mercury Crater: Manley

    The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Manley for a crater on Mercury. For more information, see the H-09 quad map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

    • Mercury
  • Name Approved for Mars Feature: Nord Rupes

    The IAU Working Group has approved the name Nord Rupes for a small scarp within Boreales Scopuli in the north polar region of Mars. For more information please see the MC-01 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

    • Mars
  • Five Names Approved for Io

    The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved five names for features on Io: Mixcoatl Fluctus, Odqan Patera, Pillan Fluctus, Shen Yi, and Wanajo Patera. For more information please see the Io nomenclature map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. 

    • Io
  • Three Facula Names Approved for Mercury

    The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved three names for Mercury: Madu Facula, Ngu Facula, and Ahas Facula. For more information, please see the H-07 and H-12 nomenclature maps in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. 

    • Mercury