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The International Astronomical Union has approved the name Eris for the largest known dwarf planet (see CBAT Circular 8747). Eris is the Greek goddess of chaos and strife; she created a quarrel among goddesses that led to the Trojan War. This name could be considered quite fitting for the body that has fueled the debate concerning how to define a planet. The name Eris was suggested by the discoverer, Michael Brown.
Eris satellite was named Dysnomia, for Eris daughter who carries the attribute of lawlessness.
The name Zeta has been approved for Uranus ring 1986 U2R. For more information, see the page that describes ring nomenclature in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.
A new set of maps showing all IAU-approved names on Mercury is now available. These maps are based on new mosaics of Mercury, composed of images from the Mariner 10 and MESSENGER missions.
The names Henbury, Layla, Lonar, Maricourt, and Steinheim have been approved by the IAU for five Martian craters. Details can be found in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.
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.
Three new crater names (Canillo, Doba, and Ehden) and one new planum name (Nepenthes Planum) have been approved for use on Mars. For more information, see the map of MC-14 and the list of Martian feature names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.
The names Arran Chaos, Narberth Chaos, and Rathmore Chaos have been approved for use on Europa. See the page containing Europa nomenclature in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.
Six new names have been approved for Martian craters: Horowitz, Kamnik, Kandi, Pursat, Roseau, and Yaren. For more information, see the list of Martian crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.
The name Minona Corona has been approved for the corona located at 23.5N, 218.5E. Please see the list of Venus feature names and the map of Venus quadrangle V-27 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.
The following 12 names have been approved by the IAU for surface features on Titan: Elivagar Flumina, Abaya Lacus, Bolsena Lacus, Feia Lacus, Koitere Lacus, Mackay Lacus, Mývatn Lacus, Neagh Lacus, Oneida Lacus, Sotonera Lacus, Sparrow Lacus, and Waikare Lacus. See the Titan section of the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.
