USGS Astrogeology Science Center Nomenclature News

Names Approved for Mercury: Codesido, Wu Shujuan, El Husseini, Freire, Asawa, Halim, Bilokur, and Le Guin

11/14/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Codesido, Wu Shujuan, El Husseini, Freire, Asawa, Halim, Bilokur, and Le Guin for eight craters on Mercury. For more information, please see the H-3, H-5, H-7, and H-15 nomenclature maps in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Mars: Melosh and Jhelum Vallis

10/23/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Melosh and Jhelum Vallis for two features on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-11 nomenclature map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mars: Barlow

09/27/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Barlow for a feature on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-18 nomenclature map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Four Names Approved for Pluto

09/11/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Harrington Regio, Sharaf Regio, Bower, and Farinella for four features on Pluto. For more information, please see the Pluto nomenclature map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mercury: Stoddart

08/26/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Stoddart for a feature on Mercury. For more information, please see the H-07 nomenclature map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for the Moon: Mons Malapert

08/26/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Mons Malapert for a feature on the Moon. For more information, please see the LAC-144 nomenclature map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for the Moon: Nam Byeong-Cheol

08/14/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Nam Byeong-Cheol for a feature on the Moon. For more information, please see the LAC-89 nomenclature map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Mercury: 8 Craters

08/13/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Sontag, Piazzolla, Truffaut, Nasir, Masuka, Carvalho, Makeba, Motonobu for eight craters on Mercury. For more information, please see the H-2, H-4, H-6, and H-10 nomenclature maps in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Moon: 11 Names for Features at the Chang'e 6 Landing Site

08/06/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Statio Tianjiang, Mons Song, Xu Xiake, Levi-Montalcini, Salam, Zhang Zhongjing, Su Song, Chien-Shiung Wu, Li Shizhen, Perey, and Li Bing for eleven features on the Moon. For more information, please see the LAC-121 nomenclature map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for the Moon: Lhamu

07/29/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Lhamu for a feature on the Moon. For more information, please see the LAC-144 nomenclature map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Titan: Paititi Terra

07/15/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Paititi Terra for a feature on Titan. For more information, please see the Titan VIMS/RADAR nomenclature map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Mars: Xanthe Patera, Juventae Mons, and Nectaris Patera

06/10/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Xanthe Patera, Juventae Mons, and Nectaris Patera for three features on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-18 nomenclature quad map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Mars: Lal, Mursan, and Hilsa

06/05/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Lal, Mursan, and Hilsa for three craters on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-16 nomenclature quad map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Moon: Galimov

06/04/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Galimov for a feature on the Moon. For more information, please see the LAC-142 nomenclature map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Titan: Six Lacūs Names

05/23/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Chapala Lacus , Robino Lacus, Fena Lacus, Dem Lacus, Tibi Lacus, and Vaca Lacus for six features on Titan. For more information, please see the Titan North Pole nomenclature map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mercury: Bulsara

05/09/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Bulsara for a crater on Mercury. For more information, please see the H-14 quad nomenclature map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mars: Taung

05/06/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Taung for a feature on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-11 nomenclature map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Mars: Kahnawake, Longwood, and Otepa

03/25/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Kahnawake, Longwood , and Otepa for three features on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-16 nomenclature map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Rhea: Okikurumi

03/21/2024

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

Name Approved for Titan: Ihi

03/21/2024

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

Name Approved for Moon: Rubin

03/19/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Rubin for a feature on the Moon. For more information, please see the LAC-144 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Moon: Statio Shiv Shakti

03/19/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Statio Shiv Shakti for the landing site of Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander. For more information, please see the LAC-138 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Moon: Mirzakhani

03/04/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Mirzakhani for a feature on the Moon. For more information, please see the LAC-99 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Moon: Jaci, Masina, and Dawa

03/04/2024

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Jaci, Masina, and Dawa for three features on the Moon. For more information, please see the LAC-144 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mars: Deuteronilus Cavus

11/21/2023

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Deuteronilus Cavus for a feature on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-05 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Didymos and Dimorphos

11/14/2023

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved six new names for Dimorphos and two new names for Didymos. The new Dimorphos names are Tamboril, Naqqara, Msondo, Bongo, Marimba, and Bala. The new Didymos names are Gong Saxum and Carillon Saxum. For more information, please see the Dimorphos map and the Didymos map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Two Names Approved for Pluto: Belton Regio and Safronov Regio

09/22/2023

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.

New Name for Europa Feature: Pasiphae Linea

08/30/2023

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

Io Eruptive Center Shen Yi Renamed Xihe

08/04/2023

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.

Name Approved for Mars Crater: Picardi

08/02/2023

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.

Names Approved for Lunar Craters: Burbidge and Floss

08/02/2023

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.

Name Approved for Io: Olafat Patera

06/26/2023

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.

Name Approved for Mercury Crater: Manley

06/13/2023

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.

Name Approved for Mars Feature: Nord Rupes

05/26/2023

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.

Five Names Approved for Io

05/16/2023

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.

Three Facula Names Approved for Mercury

05/09/2023

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.

Venus: 10 New Feature Names

05/05/2023

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved ten new names for surface features on Venus, and revised boundaries for Raskova Paterae. The new feature names are Firtos Mons, Arasy Mons, Ignirtoq Tholi, Oxomoco Tholus, Pakhet Tholus, Ismo Tholi, Zana Tholus, Robigo Fluctus, Saosis Fluctus, and Nyakaya Fluctus. For more information, please see the nomenclature maps for quads V-50, V-51, and V-59.

New Pluto Feature Named: Yutu Linea

04/25/2023

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

Names Approved for Mercury: Volasiga Rupes and Italica Rupes

04/20/2023

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Volasiga Rupes and Italica Rupes for two features on Mercury. For more information, please see the H-12 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Lunar Crater: Brill

04/18/2023

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Brill for a crater near the lunar south pole. For more information, please see the LAC-144 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mars Crater: Chakpar

04/12/2023

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Chakpar for a crater on Mars. Please see the MC-09 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

Five Lineae Approved for Pluto

04/11/2023

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved five names for Pluto: Surveyor Linea, Zond Linea, Chandrayaan Linea, Hiten Linea, and Luna Linea. For more information please see the global nomenclature map for Pluto.

Seven Names Approved for Io

04/10/2023

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved seven names for features on Io: Kanlaon Patera, Tabiti Patera, Tiwaz Patera, Shurdi Patera, Mandulis Patera, Upulevo Fluctus, and Quzah Fluctūs. For more information, please see the global nomenclature map of Io.

Names Approved for Six Mars Craters

04/07/2023

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for six craters on Mars: Berrocal, Cuparaque, Druzhba, Leoben, Nunu, and Sasakan. For more information, please see the MC-21 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Eight Names Approved for Io

03/10/2023

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved eight names for features on Io: Pajonn Patera, Asis Patera, Yeloje Patera, Verbti Patera, Kotar Patera, Gauwa Patera, Gurzil Patera, and Tonatiuh. For more information, please see the Io map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mars Crater: Roman

02/13/2023

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Roman for a crater on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-21 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Two Names Approved for Mercury: Pelagia Rupes and Vejas Rupes

01/27/2023

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Pelagia Rupes and Vejas Rupes for two features on Mercury. For more information, please see the H-09 and H-03 maps in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. The latest Mercury nomenclature GIS shapefile can be downloaded from our GIS Downloads page.

Names Approved for Six Mercury Rupēs

01/11/2023

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved six names for Mercury: Baltica Rupes, Darshak Rupēs, Hesperides Rupes, Lance Rupes, Providencia Rupes, and Selen Rupēs. For more information, please see the H-06, H-08, H-09, and H-10 quad maps, and download the latest GIS shapefile of Mercury nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mercury: Carrasco Rupēs

12/13/2022

The IAU Working Group has approved the name Carrasco Rupēs for a feature on Mercury. For more information please see the H-09 quad map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Five Rupes Approved for Mercury: Aegaeo, Akademik, Astrea, Legend, and Zapiola

12/02/2022

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved five names for Mercury: Aegaeo Rupes, Akademik Rupes, Astrea Rupes, Legend Rupes, and Zapiola Rupes. For more information, please see the H-01, H-06, H-08, H-09, and H-10 quad maps, and download the latest GIS shapefile of Mercury nomenclature.

Names Approved for Eight Mercury Rupes

11/07/2022

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved eight names for Mercury: Acadia Rupes, Antares Rupes, Arquipelago Rupēs, Endurance Rupes, Protea Rupes, Tangaroa Rupes, Xuelong Rupes, and Yelcho Rupes. For more information, please see the H-04, H-08, H-09, H-10 quad maps, and download the latest GIS shapefile of Mercury nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mercury Crater: MacNicol

08/25/2022

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name MacNicol for a crater on Mercury. For more information, please see the H-15 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Five Names Approved for Dimorphos

01/26/2023

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the first names for features on the asteroid Dimorphos: Atabaque Saxum, Bodhran Saxum, Caccavella Saxum, Dhol Saxum, and Puniu Saxum. For more information, please see the Dimorphos nomenclature map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mercury Crater: Morrison

09/27/2022

The IAU Working Group has approved the name Morrison for a crater on Mercury. For more information, please see the H-01 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mars Crater: Tangtse

11/09/2022

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Tangtse for a small Mars crater. For more information, please see the MC-23 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Mars Craters: Aarna, Abu, Kyara, and Varahamihira

12/16/2022

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Aarna, Abu, Kyara, and Varahamihira for four Mars craters. For more information, please see the MC-11 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mars: Oxia Dorsum

12/30/2022

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Oxia Dorsum for a feature on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-11 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Lunar Feature: Sinus Viscositatis

12/30/2022

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Sinus Viscositatis for a lunar feature. For more information, please see the LAC-23 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mars Crater: Marsabit

01/06/2023

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Marsabit for a small crater on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-11 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mars: Nen Valles

01/11/2023

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Nen Valles for a feature on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-14 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Eight Names Approved for Mars

09/22/2022

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Tairua, Enns, Steyr, Mirissa, Kirinda, Güimar, Yaiza, and Amed for eight craters on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-21 and MC-22 maps in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for 10 Small Satellites of Saturn

08/24/2022

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for 10 small satellites of Saturn. These satellites were named according to the theme for retrograde (with an inclination of 90 to 180 degrees) bodies, and bear the names of giants and giantesses from Norse mythology. The names are Saturn LIV (Gridr), Saturn LV (Angrboda), Saturn LVI (Skrymir), Saturn LVII (Gerd), Saturn LIX (Eggther), Saturn LXI (Beli), Saturn LXII (Gunnlod), Saturn LXIII (Thiazzi), Saturn LXV (Alvaldi), and Saturn LXVI (Geirrod). For more information, please see the full list of Saturnian Satellites in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Mars: Kyela, Kai, Elva, Tarime, and Límni

08/22/2022

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for five craters on Mars: Kyela, Kai, Elva, Tarime, and Límni. For more information, please see the MC-12 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mars: Pohl

08/17/2022

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Pohl for a crater on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-04 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Lunar Crater: Bandfield

07/11/2022

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Bandfield for a small lunar crater. For more information, please see the LAC-82 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mercury Feature: Challenger Rupes

06/08/2022

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

Seven New Names Approved for Pluto: One Planitia, Two Valles, Two Craters, and Two Colles

06/03/2022

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved seven names for features on Pluto: Rosetta Planitia, Lemminkäinen Vallis, Väinämöinen Vallis, Kowal, Coradini, Challenger Colles, and Columbia Colles. For more information, please see the Pluto map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Europa: Ancaeus Linea, Arachne Linea, and Acacallis Linea

06/01/2022

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved three new feature names for Europa: Ancaeus Linea, Arachne Linea, and Acacallis Linea. For more information, please see the Europa map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mercury Crater: Lorde

05/02/2022

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Lorde for a crater on Mercury. For more information, please see the H-15 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Twelve New Names Approved for Mars Craters

04/18/2022

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Arvi, Bari, Daiyang, Gebog, Jintur, Luwuk, Maur, Poso, Satkania, Teknaf, Wukan, and Zhufan for twelve small craters on Mars. For more information, see the Mars maps MC-4, MC-24, MC-25, MC-26, MC-27, and MC-29 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mars Crater: Bohar

04/18/2022

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Bohar for a crater on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-3 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for 11 Features on Titan

04/18/2022

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for eleven features on Titan: Montego Sinus, Luin Montes, Orog Lacuna, Enriquillo Lacus, Totak Lacus, Pielinen Lacus, Gatun Lacus, Sarygamysh Lacus, Tasmania Facula, Xuttah Planitia, and Cerknica Lacuna.

Names Approved for Mars: 22 Feature Names Near the Tianwen-1 Landing Site

03/09/2022

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for 22 features on Mars, all nearby the Tianwen-1 landing site. The names are Pingle, Xibaipo, Wenjiashi, Yaodian, Gujiang, Zhouzhuang, Qidu, Tianzhushan, Maji, Gutian, Wuxing, Yangliuqing, Lukeqin, Mohe, Huxiang, Zhengji, Yaodian Fossae, Qidu Fossae, Yaodian Tholus, Wenjiashi Tholi, Mohe Tholi, and Wenjiashi Mensa.

Name Approved for Mars Crater: Ramanathan

03/08/2022

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Ramanathan for a crater on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-12 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Mars Craters: Karratha, Khujirt, and Dampier

12/01/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for three Mars craters: Karratha, Khujirt, and Dampier. For more information, please see the MC-16 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Lunar Crater: Stose

11/05/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Stose for a lunar crater near the South Pole. For more information, please see the LAC-144 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Mars: Mastung and Longboh

10/23/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Mastung and Longboh for two small Mars craters. For more information, see the MC-6 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for the Moon: Spudis and Marvin

09/30/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Spudis and Marvin for two craters near the Moon's South Pole. For more information, please see the LAC-144 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for the Moon: Rima Louville

09/29/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Rima Louville for a feature on the Moon. For more information, please see the LAC-23 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mars: Jezero Mons

09/17/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Jezero Mons for a feature on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-13 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Lunar Crater: Henson

09/01/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Henson for a lunar crater near the South Pole. For more information, please see the LAC-144 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Five Mars Features

08/26/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approve five new names for features on Mars: Arago Dorsa, Cantabras Serpens, Cantabras Dorsum, Piscinas, and Piscinas Serpentes. For more information, see the MC-11 and MC-12 maps in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mars: Mikumi

08/19/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Mikumi for a crater on Mars. For more information, please see the feature page and the MC-11 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mercury Crater: Veronese

06/29/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Veronese for a crater on Mercury. For more information, please see the H-06 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for the Moon: Mons Latreille

05/24/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Mons Latreille for a feature on the Moon. For more information, please see the LAC-44 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Eight Names Approved for the Moon

05/24/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved eight names for features on the Moon in the vicinity of the Chang'e-5 landing site: Mons Hua, Mons Heng, Pei Xiu, Shen Kuo, Liu Hui, Song Yingxing, Statio Tianchuan, and Xu Guangqi. For more information, please see the LAC-23 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mars: Elston

05/07/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Elston for a crater on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-22 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mercury: Altair Rupes

05/05/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Altair Rupes for a feature on Mercury. For more information, see the H-15 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mars: Kozova

04/22/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Kozova for a small crater on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-11 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Mars: Margulis and Roemer

04/22/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Margulis and Roemer for two large craters on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-20 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mars Feature: Peneus Mensa

02/09/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Peneus Mensa for a feature on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-27 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Ten Names Approved for Pluto

02/04/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved ten new names for features on Pluto: Edgeworth, Oort, Beatrice Fossa, Dumuzi Fossa, Inanna Fossa, Zheng He Montes, Ranger Planitia, Lunokhod Planitia, Pioneer Terra, and Viking Terra. For more information, please see the Pluto map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved on Mercury: Chikyu Rupes, Investigator Rupes, and Alpha Crucis Rupes

02/02/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for three features on Mercury: Chikyu Rupes, Investigator Rupes, and Alpha Crucis Rupes. For more information, see the Mercury maps H-13 and H-09 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Lunar Crater: Easley

02/02/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Easley for a small lunar crater. For more information, see the LAC-99 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Lunar Crater: Tooley

02/02/2021

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Tooley for a lunar crater. The name was approved on November 19, 2020. For more information, see the lunar map LAC-144 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mercury Crater: Berry

10/08/2020

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Berry for a crater on Mercury. For more information, please see the Mercury map H-01 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Charon: McCaffrey Dorsum and Cora

08/13/2020

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved two new names for Charon: McCaffrey Dorsum and Cora, a crater.

Names Approved for Pluto: Hardaway, Zagar, and Pulfrich

08/13/2020

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved three new names for craters on Pluto: Hardaway, Zagar, and Pulfrich.

Name Approved for Ceres: Homowo Regio

08/05/2020

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Homowo Regio for a feature on Ceres. See the feature page for Homowo Regio in the Gazetteer of Planetary System Nomenclature for more information.

Twelve New Names Approved For Bennu

03/30/2020

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved twelve new names for rocks on the asteroid Bennu, the target of the OSIRIS-REx mission. The new names are Thorondor Saxum, Dodo Saxum, Odette Saxum, Odile Saxum, Camulatz Saxum, Kongamato Saxum, Gullinkambi Saxum, Boobrie Saxum, Aellopus Saxum, Celaeno Saxum, Ciinkwia Saxum, and Gamayun Saxum.

Two Names Approved for Mars: Pliva Vallis and Sava Vallis

03/27/2020

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Pliva Vallis and Sava Vallis for two features in the vicinity of the Mars 2020 mission landing site, Jezero crater.

Names Approved for Mars: Izola and Izola Mensa

03/12/2020

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Izola and Izola Mensa for two features on Mars. For more information, please see the Mars map MC-21 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

First Twelve Names Approved for Bennu

03/12/2020

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved twelve names for the asteroid Bennu: Aetos Saxum, Amihan Saxum, Benben Saxum, Gargoyle Saxum, Huginn Saxum, Muninn Saxum, Ocypete Saxum, Pouakai Saxum, Roc Saxum, Simurgh Saxum, Strix Saxum, and Tlanuwa Regio.

Name Approved for Lunar Crater: Ballet

02/11/2020

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Ballet for a small lunar crater. This crater was used as a landmark and sample collection site during the Apollo 17 mission. For more information, please see the LAC-43 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Two Crater Names Approved for Mars: Malino and Zaim

02/10/2020

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Malino and Zaim for two craters on Mars. For more information, see the Mars map MC-11 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Ten Names Approved for Mars

01/22/2020

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Angelica, Belva, Dacono, Hartwell, Marysville, Sedona, Ulricehamn, Nili Planum, Neretva Vallis, and Una Vallis. These names are near the proposed landing site for the Mars 2020 mission to Jezero crater. For more information, see the Mars MC-13 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Four Names Approved for Pluto

01/15/2020

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Hardie, Coughlin, Hyecho Palus, and Uncama Fossa for features on Pluto. For more information, please see the Pluto map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on Mercury: Gordimer

11/19/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Gordimer for a crater on Mercury. For more information, please see the H-1 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Pluto Feature: Tabei Montes

11/19/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Tabei Montes for a feature on Pluto. For more information, please see the Pluto map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Venus: Jyestha Tesserae and Istustaya Tesserae

11/07/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved two names for Venus: Jyestha Tesserae and Istustaya Tesserae. For more information, see the Venus maps V-7 and V-33 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Lunar Crater: Vaughan

10/16/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Vaughan for a crater on the Moon. For more information, see the Moon map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Pluto Feature: Hermod Fossae

09/25/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Hermod Fossae for a feature on Pluto. For more information, see the Pluto map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Seven Craters on Mercury

09/19/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for seven craters on Mercury: Angelou, Bunin, Josetsu, Jiménez, Kirby, Rizal, and Strauss. For more information, see the Mercury map H-1 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mars Crater: Chamba

08/26/2019

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Chamba for a crater on Mars. For more information, please see the MC-11 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Five Jovian Satellites

08/19/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for five satellites of Jupiter: Pandia, Ersa, Eirene, Philophrosyne, and Eupheme. For more information, see the entries on the Planet and Satellite Names page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Pluto Feature: Kaknú Fossa

08/13/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Kaknú Fossa for a feature on Pluto. For more information, see the Pluto map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Lunar Crater: Shioli

08/13/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Shioli for a small lunar crater. For more information, see the Moon map LAC-78 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mars Crater: Tehachapi

07/08/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Tehachapi for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the Mars map MC-04 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mars Crater: Kilkhampton

06/10/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Kilkhampton for a crater on Mars. For more information, please see the Mars map MC-11 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Three Names Approved for Mercury: Martins, Grifo Rupes, and Soya Rupes

06/10/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved three names for features on Mercury: Martins, Grifo Rupes, and Soya Rupes. For more information, please see the H-10 map of Mercury in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Ten Names Approved for Europa

05/28/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved ten names for features on Europa: Belenos Mensa, Borvo Mensa, Grannus Mensa, Moyle Cavus, Kerlescan Fossae, Kermario Fossae, Ménec Fossae, Maughanasilly Fossa, Eightercua Fossa, and Beenalaught Fossa.

Name Approved for Mars Feature: Oxia Planum

05/17/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Oxia Planum for a feature on Mars. For more information, see the Mars map MC-11 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Mercury: Six Faculae

04/16/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for six faculae on Mercury: Orm Faculae, Pampu Facula, Ular Facula, Sarpa Facula, Havu Facula, and Bitin Facula. For more information, see the Mercury maps H-2 and H-11 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Callisto crater: Vili

04/04/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Vili for a crater on Callisto. For more information, please see the Callisto map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Ganymede crater: Laomedon

04/04/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Laomedon for a crater on Ganymede. For more information, please see the Ganymede map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mercury Crater: Bellini

04/03/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Bellini for a crater on Mercury. For more information, see the Mercury map H-14 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Mercury Feature: Borobudur Fossae

04/03/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Borobudur Fossae for a feature on Mercury. For more information, see the Mercury maps H-13 and H-14 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Nine Features on Ceres

03/27/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved nine names for Ceres: Dankdag Labes, Sukkot Labes, Onam Labes, Lohri Tholus, Bagach Tholus, Kekri Tholus, Pasola Facula, Cerealia Tholus, and Makahiki Labyrinthus. For more information, see the Ceres map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved For Feature on Mars: Phison Patera

03/20/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Phison Patera for a feature on Mars. For more information, see the Mars maps MC-05 and MC-13 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Three Names Approved for Mars: Barth, Thymiamata Serpens, and Meridiani Serpentes

03/08/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved three new names for features on Mars: Barth, Thymiamata Serpens, and Meridiani Serpentes. For more information, see the Mars maps MC-11 and MC-12.

Name Approved for Neptunian Satellite: Hippocamp

02/20/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Hippocamp for the small Neptunian satellite (Neptune XIV). For more information see the Planets page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Chang'e-4 Landing Site Name Approved: Statio Tianhe

02/15/2019

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Statio Tianhe for the landing site where the Chinese spacecraft Chang'e-4 touched town on January 3, 2019, the first-ever landing on the far side of the Moon. Four other names for features near the landing site have also been approved: Zhinyu, Hegu, and Tianjin craters, as well as Mons Tai. See the IAU Press Release for more information.

Name Approved for Feature on Ceres: Lughnasa Tholus

11/30/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Lughnasa Tholus for a feature on Ceres. For more information, see the Ceres map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Mars: Cagli

11/16/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Cagli for a crater on Mars. For more information, see Mars map MC-11 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Mars: Kalpin

11/15/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Kalpin for a crater on Mars. For more information, see Mars map MC-15 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Four Names Approved on Mercury

10/19/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for two craters on Mercury: Carleton and Travers. Two other names were also approved: Meteor Rupes and Kainan Rupes. For more information, see Mercury map H-14 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Lunar Craters Named in Honour of Apollo 8

10/05/2018

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature of the International Astronomical Union has today officially approved the naming of two craters on the Moon to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 8 mission. The names are Anders' Earthrise and 8 Homeward. See the IAU Press Release for more information, and the LAC-82 map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Jovian Satellite: Valetudo

10/03/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Valetudo for the small prograde Jovian satellite (Jupiter LXII) whose orbit crosses the outer retrograde area. For more information see the Planets page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Mercury: Canova

09/06/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved the name Canova for a crater on Mercury. For more information, see Mercury map H-2 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Eight Martian Crater Names Approved

08/31/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved the following names for eight craters on Mars: Alofi, Banes, Izamal, Jiji, Kaporo, Sera, Wulai, and Yelapa. For more information, see Mars maps MC-11, MC-12, and MC-20 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on the Moon: Donner M

08/28/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Donner M for a small crater on the Moon. For more information, see LAC-116 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on the Moon: Yerkes V

08/24/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved the name Yerkes V for a small crater on the Moon. For more information, see LAC-62 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved For Feature on Mars: Aeolis Chaos

06/13/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved the name Aeolis Chaos for a feature on Mars. For more information, see Mars map MC-23 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Five Names Approved for Craters on Mars

06/01/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved names for five craters on Mars: McCauley, Batson, Jori, Nako, and Salkhad. For more information, see Mars map MC-21 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Pluto: Hekla Cavus

05/30/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved the name Hekla Cavus for a feature on Pluto. For more information, see the map of Pluto in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Three Faculae on Mercury

05/01/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved names for three features on Mercury: Gata Facula, Nakahi Facula, and Amaru Facula. For more information, see Mercury map H-14 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Pluto: Baret Montes

04/26/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved the name Baret Montes for a feature on Pluto. For more information, see the map of Pluto in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on Mars: Oituz

04/23/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved the name Oituz for a small crater on Mars. For more information, see MC-11 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Six Faculae on Mercury

04/16/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved names for six faculae on Mercury: Bibilava Faculae, Ejo Faculae, Ibab Facula, Inyoka Faculae, Maciji Facula, and Nzoka Facula. For more information, see Mercury map H-8 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

First Names Approved for Charon

04/12/2018

The first twelve names have been approved for use on Charon by the IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature. The feature names are: Argo Chasma, Caleuche Chasma, Mandjet Chasma, Butler Mons, Kubrick Mons, Clarke Montes, Dorothy, Nasreddin, Nemo, Pirx, Revati, and Sadko. For more information, see the map of Charon in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Seven Faculae on Mercury

04/06/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved names for seven faculae on Mercury: Abeeso Facula, Agwo Facula, Nathair Facula, Neidr Facula, Suge Facula, Thueban Facula, and Slang Faculae. For more information, see Mercury maps H-3, H-4, H-5, and H-8 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on Mars: Garu

04/06/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved the name Garu for a crater on Mars. For more information, see MC-23 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on the Moon: Hawke

03/23/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved the name Hawke for a crater on the Moon. For more information, see LAC-140 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Titan: Winnipeg Lacus

02/27/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved the name Winnipeg Lacus for a feature on Titan. For more information, see Titan's North Polar Lakes and Seas map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Theme Approved for Faculae on Mercury

02/27/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved the theme "word for 'snake' in various languages" for faculae on Mercury. For more information about themes, see the 'Categories' page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on Mars: Kufstein

02/20/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved the name Kufstein for a crater on Mars. For more information, see Mars map MC-27 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Seven Names Approved for Craters on Mars

02/20/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved names for seven craters on Mars: Dechu, Jaisalmer, Kenge, Kilmia, Qara, Topola, and Yelwa. For more information, see Mars maps MC-2, MC-6, MC-8, MC-9, MC-21, MC-22, and MC-24 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on Mars: Chukhung

02/09/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved the name Chukhung for a crater on Mars. For more information, see Mars map MC-03 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Mars: Oenotria Cavi

01/30/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved the name Oenotria Cavi for a feature on Mars. For more information, see Mars map MC-21 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Six New Sinus Names Approved for Titan

01/11/2018

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved names for six features on Titan: Genova Sinus, Dingle Sinus, Baffin Sinus, Manza Sinus, Boni Sinus, and Maizuru Sinus. For more information, see the map of Titan's North Polar Lakes and Seas in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Mars: Olympus Maculae

11/29/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved the name Olympus Maculae for a group of dark spots on Mars. For more information, see Mars map MC-8 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Six Cavi and a Tholus on Mars

11/07/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved names for seven features on Mars: Dalu Cavus, Layl Cavus, Malam Cavus, Nat Cavus, Noc Cavus, Usiku Cavus, and Noctis Tholus. For more information, see Mars map MC-17 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on Mars: Kotido

10/24/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Kotido for a crater on Mars. For more information, see Mars map MC-11 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Seven New Names Approved for Paterae on Mars

10/16/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved names for seven features on Mars: Olympus Paterae, Apollo Patera, Athena Patera, Dionysus Patera, Hermes Patera, Hera Patera, and Zeus Patera. For more information, see the map of MC-9 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Naming Method Approved for Use on Mars

10/16/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved a new naming method for groups of smaller features within a larger named feature. In such cases the normal naming convention shall be suspended and instead their names shall be chosen so that they bear a mnemonic relationship to the given name of the larger feature, followed by the appropriate descriptor term. For more information, see the Categories page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

First Names for Pluto

09/21/2017

The first fourteen names approved for use on Pluto by the IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature, have been added to the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. The features are Tombaugh Regio, Sputnik Planitia, Tenzing Montes, Hillary Montes, Al-Idrisi Montes, Djanggawul Fossae, Sleipnir Fossa, Virgil Fossae, Adlivun Cavus, Hayabusa Terra, Voyager Terra, Tartarus Dorsa, Burney, and Elliot. For more information, see the map of Pluto in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Five Names Approved for Titan: Salusa, Niushe, Harmonthep, Corrin, and Ochumare

09/15/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved five names on Titan: Salusa Labyrinthus, Niushe Labyrinthus, Harmonthep Labyrinthus, Corrin Labyrinthus, and Ochumare Regio. For more information, see the map of Titan in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Thirteen Craters Approved for Ceres

08/28/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for thirteen craters on Ceres: Jumis, Sedana, Peko, Halki, Telepinu, Kaneki, Kokopelli, Emesh, Xevioso, Nunghui, Thrud, Jacheongbi, and Ratumaibulu. For more information, see the map of Ceres in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Two Names Approved for Titan: Giedi Planitia and Tsiipiya Terra

08/24/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for two features on Titan: Giedi Planitia and Tsiipiya Terra. For more information, see the map of Titan in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on Venus

08/23/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Annabelle for a crater on Venus. For more information, see Venus map V-41, in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Twelve Names Approved for Ceres

08/12/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for twelve craters on Ceres: Mlezi, Cachimana, Binayo, Bilwis, Dikhan, Zatik, Enkimdu, Damia, Shennong, Axomama, Inkosazana, and Kahukura. For more information, see the map of Ceres in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Fourteen New Lacus Names Approved for Titan

08/08/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for fourteen features on Titan: Zub Lacus, Grasmere Lacus, Hlawga Lacus, Fogo Lacus , Letas Lacus, Balaton Lacus, Xolotlan Lacus, Karakul Lacus, Akmena Lacus, Brienz Lacus, Trichonida Lacus, Qinghai Lacus, Synevyr Lacus, and Yojoa Lacus. For more information, see the Titan north pole map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomeclature.

Names Approved for Three Craters on Mercury: Anguissola, Anyte, and Vonnegut

08/04/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Anguissola, Anyte, and Vonnegut for three craters on Mercury. For more information, see Mercury map H-1 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Three Apollo 11 Landing Site Names Approved on the Moon

07/26/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved three Apollo 11 landing site names: Mount Marilyn, Little West, and Double. For more information, see maps for LAC-60 and LAC-61 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Eight Features Approved on the Moon

07/26/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved names for two craters on the Moon: Guest and Wargo. Letter designations were approved for six craters on the Moon: Kohlschutter V, Grigg E, Chebyshev Z, Wood T, Korolev Z, and Chaplygin B. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on Mars: Alnif

07/05/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Alnif for a crater on Mars. For more information, see Mars map MC-19 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on Mars: Gokwe

07/05/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Gokwe for a crater on Mars. For more information, see Mars map MC-21 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Fifteen New Lacus Names Approved for Titan

06/26/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for fifteen features on Titan: Lagdo Lacus, Buada Lacus, Annecy Lacus, Dilolo Lacus, Dridzis Lacus, Arala Lacus, Olomega Lacus, Roca Lacus, Quilotoa Lacus, Imogene Lacus, Toba Lacus, Yessey Lacus, Zaza Lacus, Rwegura Lacus and Tengiz Lacus. For more information, see the Titan north pole map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Fifteen Lacus Names Approved for Titan

06/11/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for fifteen features on Titan: Mweru Lacus, Taupo Lacus, Prespa Lacus, Van Lacus, Ypoa Lacus, Suwa Lacus, Rukwa Lacus, Ihotry Lacus, Viedma Lacus, Phewa Lacus, Rannoch Lacus, Chilwa Lacus, Muzhwi Lacus, Maracaibo Lacus, and Negra Lacus. For more information, see the Titan north pole map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Three Features on Mars: Hiddekel, Icaria, and Phrixi Rupes

06/07/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for three features on Mars: Hiddekel Rupes, Icaria Rupes, and Phrixi Rupes. For more information, see Mars maps MC-12, MC-24, and MC-25 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Mars: Gediz Vallis

05/03/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Gediz Vallis for a feature on Mars. For more information, see Mars map MC-23 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on the Moon: Virtanen F

05/02/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Virtanen F for a crater on the Moon. For more information, see Lunar map LAC-68 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Two Features on Mars: Kankossa and Bam

04/03/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for two craters on Mars, Kankossa and Bam. For more information, see Mars maps MC-18 and MC-22 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Mercury: Heaney

03/21/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Heaney for a crater on Mercury. For more information, see Mercury map H-13 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Mars: Tarq

03/17/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Tarq for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the map of MC-29 in the Gazetteer for Planetary Nomenclature.

Names, Theme, and Boundary Change Approved for Mercury

03/15/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved an expanded boundary for Borealis Planitia, and the following new names for use on Mercury: Turms Planitia, Otaared Planitia, Apārangi Planitia, Sihtu Planitia, Papsukkal Planitia, Catuilla Planum, Stilbon Planitia, Mearcair Planitia, Lugus Planitia, and Utaridi Planitia. The theme "names for Mercury (either the planet or the god) in various languages" was approved for planum/plana. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Seven Labyrinthi on Titan

03/09/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for seven features on Titan: Naraj Labyrinthus, Palma Labyrinthus, Muritan Labyrinthus, Gansireed Labyrinthus, Gammu Labyrinthus, Lampadas Labyrinthus, and Lernaeus Labyrinthus. For more information, see the Titan global and south pole maps, in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Eight Labyrinthi on Titan

03/02/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for eight features on Titan: Tleilax Labyrinthus, Anbus Labyrinthus, Kronin Labyrinthus, Grumman Labyrinthus, Lankiveil Labyrinthus, Junction Labyrinthus, Gamont Labyrinthus, and Ginaz Labyrinthus. For more information, see the Titan global, north pole, and south pole maps, in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Themes Approved for the Pluto System

02/27/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved revised themes for Pluto and Charon. Themes for the four smaller moons, Styx, Nix, Kerberos, and Hydra remain unchanged. For more information, see the Categories page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature or the IAU press release.

Names Approved for Four Features on Mars: Sibiti, Nia Chaos, Baetis Labēs, and Chrysas Mensa

02/02/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for four features on Mars: Sibiti, Nia Chaos, Baetis Labēs, and Chrysas Mensa. For more information, see the map for MC-18 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Mars: Andapa

01/19/2017

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Andapa for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the map of MC-19 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Changed on Ceres

12/07/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Yamor Mons to replace the name Ysolo Mons on Ceres. For more information, see the map of Ceres in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Mars: Ubud

11/29/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Ubud for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the map of MC-19 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Bright Spots on Ceres

11/26/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Cerealia Facula and Vinalia Faculae for bright spots on Ceres. For more information, see the map of Ceres in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Mars: Avan

11/15/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Avan for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the map of MC-18 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Mars: Krupac

10/28/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Krupac for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the map for MC-21 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Mars: Ruhea

10/18/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Ruhea for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the map for MC-29 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Mars: Taltal

09/20/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Taltal for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the map for MC-24 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for 14 Features on Ceres

09/16/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for 14 craters on Ceres: Aristaeus, Begbalel, Braciaca, Cacaguat, Centeotl, Duginavi, Hakumyi, Hatipowa, Ialonus, Kiriamma, Laukumate, Megwomets, Razeka, and Xochipilli. For more information, see the Ceres map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Features on Mars: Nybyen and Flateyri

09/12/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for two craters on Mars: Nybyen and Flateyri. For more information, see the map for MC-26 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Ceres: Uhola Catenae

09/12/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Uhola Catenae for a feature on Ceres. For more information, see the Ceres map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Features on Mars: Murray, Mambali, Baum, and Degana

09/06/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for four craters on Mars: Murray, Mambali, Baum, and Degana. For more information, see the maps for MC-18 and MC-20 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Five Tholi on Ceres

08/23/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved names for five features on Ceres: Aymuray Tholi, Cosecha Tholus, Hosil Tholus, Kwanzaa Tholus, and Mikeli Tholus. For more information, see the Ceres map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Mars: Cilaos

08/16/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Cilaos for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the map for MC-29 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Theme on Mars Expanded

07/14/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the expansion of the theme for "other features" on Mars to include using the name of a nearby crater, if no nearby albedo feature name is available. Theme expansion was necessary because in some areas of Mars all available albedo feature names have been used. To see a list of IAU-approved themes, visit the "Categories" page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Ganymede: Gushkin

07/11/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Gushkin for a small crater on Ganymede. For more information, see the map for Ganymede in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved and a Name Changed on Ceres

06/20/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved the name Hanami Planum to replace the name Erntedank Planum on Ceres and approved a boundary change for Samhain Catenae. The following new names were also approved: Lociyo, Nepen, Tawals, Baltay Catena, Pongal Catena, Junina Catenae, Nabanna Fossa, and Nar Sulcus. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Craters on Mars: Bunnik, Langtang, Nqutu, and Talu

06/14/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for four craters on Mars: Bunnik, Langtang, Nqutu, and Talu. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Mars: Echus Palus

05/20/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Echus Palus for a feature on Mars. For more information, see the map for MC-10 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Mars: Hiddekel Cavus

05/17/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Hiddekel Cavus for a feature on Mars. For more information, see the map for MC-12 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on Mars: Selevac

04/19/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Selevac for a small crater on Mars. For more information, see the map for MC-24 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Two Features on Ceres: Vendimia Planitia and Consus

03/28/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for two features on Ceres. Consus was approved for a crater in the southern hemisphere and Vendimia Planitia was approved for a large, low plain. For more information, see the map of Ceres in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Titan: Buzzell Planitia

03/18/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Buzzell Planitia for a feature on Titan. For more information, see Titan's South Pole map and the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Features on the Moon: Hildegard, Hildegard K, Poincaré E, and Poincaré F

02/29/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for four features on the Moon: Hildegard, Hildegard K, Poincare E, and Poincare F. The name Hildegard K replaced the name Pikel'ner K, when the name Hildegard was approved for the larger crater in which Hildegard K is located. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on Mars: Prao

02/19/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Prao for a small crater on Mars. For more information, see the map for MC-21 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Mars: Pyrrhae Fossae

02/10/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Pyrrhae Fossae for a feature on Mars. For more information, see the MC-19 and MC-26 maps in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Mercury: Unity Rupes

01/31/2016

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Unity Rupes for a feature on Mercury. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Nine Names Approved for Features on Titan

12/28/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for nine features on Titan: Tsomgo Lacus, Kayangan Lacus, Shoji Lacus, Romo Planitia, Rossak Planitia, Hagal Planitia, Saraswati Flumen, Karesos Flumen, and Hubur Flumen. For more information, see the Titan South Pole Map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Ten More Features on Ceres

12/16/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for ten features on Ceres, including one mons, two tholi, and seven craters. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Ten Names Approved for Features on Ceres

12/04/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for ten features on Ceres, including Erntedank Planum and names for nine craters. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Two Craters on Mars: Catota and Dunkassa

11/27/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for two craters on Mars: Catota and Dunkassa. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Three Features on Mars: Coprates Mensa, Ius Mensa, and Melas Mensa

11/23/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for three mensae on Mars: Coprates Mensa, Ius Mensa, and Melas Mensa. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Titan: Xanthus Flumen

11/06/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Xanthus Flumen for a channel on Titan. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Three Craters on Mercury: Burke, Sapkota, and Yamada

11/04/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for three craters on Mercury: Burke, Sapkota, and Yamada. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on Mars: Bradbury

10/15/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Bradbury for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for 15 More Features on Ceres

10/15/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for 15 features on Ceres, including Niman Rupes, Gerber Catena, and names for 13 craters. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on Mercury: Kerouac

10/13/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Kerouac for a crater on Mercury. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Three Features and Landing Site on the Moon

10/05/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for three craters and the Chang'e 3 landing site on the Moon. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Feature on Mars: Kārūn Valles

10/03/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Karun Valles for a feature on Mars. For spelling of name using diacritical marks, and for more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for 13 Features on Ceres

10/03/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for Ahuna Mons, Samhain Catena, and 11 craters on Ceres. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for 12 Features on Mercury

10/03/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for 12 craters on Mercury. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for 15 Features on Ceres

09/23/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for 15 features on Ceres, including 14 craters and Ysolo Mons. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Dune Field on Mars: Ogygis Undae

09/18/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Ogygis Undae for a dune field on Mars. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on Mars: Cardona

08/21/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Cardona for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on Mars: Negril

08/20/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Negril for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for a crater on Mars: Auki

08/14/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Auki for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Three Features on Mars: Hellas Chasma, Peneus Palus and Coronae Planum

08/07/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for three features on Mars: Hellas Chasma, Peneus Palus, and Coronae Planum. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Two Features on Mars: Talas and Navua Valles

07/28/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for two features on Mars, Talas (a crater), and Navua Valles. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on Ceres: Kait

07/24/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Kait for a small crater on Ceres. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Ten Features on Titan

07/22/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved names for ten features on Titan: Aura Undae, Crveno Lacus, Gandalf Colles, Genetaska Macula, Moria Montes, Mystis, Tishtrya Virgae, Tlaloc Virgae, Tupile Labyrinthus, and Veliko Lacuna. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

First 17 Names Approved for Features on Ceres

07/13/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for 17 craters on Ceres: Asari, Coniraya, Gaue, Dantu, Ezinu, Fejokoo, Haulani, Kerwan, Nawish, Occator, Kirnis, Rongo, Sintana, Toharu, Urvara, Yalode, and Zadeni. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for a Feature on Mars: Moa Valles

07/10/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Moa Valles for a feature on Mars. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for a Crater on Mars: Moni

06/29/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Moni for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary System Nomenclature.

Name Approved for a Feature on Mars: Dulce Vallis

06/19/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Dulce Vallis for a feature on Mars. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Change in Name for Feature on Enceladus

06/15/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the change from Samaria Fossa to Samaria Rupes for a feature on Enceladus. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on the Moon: Pierazzo

05/28/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Pierazzo for a crater on the Moon. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Two Montes on Mars

05/27/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for two features on Mars: Coprates Montes and Nectaris Montes. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

Name Approved for a Crater on the Moon: Slater

05/04/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Slater for a crater on the Moon. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

Names Approved for Five Craters on Mercury

04/30/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for five craters on Mercury:

Carolan, Enheduanna

Karsh, Kulthum

and Rivera.

For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

Names Approved for Two Craters on Mars: Garni and Rauna

04/24/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for two craters on Mars: Garni and Rauna. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

Names Approved for Two Mensae on Mars

04/18/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Juventae Mensa and Nia Mensa for two features on Mars. For more information see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

Names Approved for Three Features on Mars

04/16/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for three features on Mars: Badwater crater, Greeley crater, and Syria Colles. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Two Craters on Titan

04/15/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for two craters on Titan: Forseti and Beag. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Mars Education Website

04/10/2015

A new website, sponsored by Cochise College, provides easy access for Mars education. The website offers more than 4300 views of Mars including Martian landforms, landform distribution maps, over 2500 views of IAU-approved named features, and much more. You can visit this website here.

New Name Approved for a Crater on the Moon

03/31/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Tharp for a crater on the Moon. For more information, see the map of the Moon quadrangle LAC-102 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Two Craters on Mars

03/21/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Hunten and Choyr for two craters on Mars. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name Approved for Jovian Satellite

03/10/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Dia for the Jovian satellite, Jupiter LIII. For more information, see the "Planet and Satellite Names and Discoverers" page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names Approved for Six Features on Ganymede

03/04/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for six paterae on Ganymede: Hamra, Hammamat, Musa, Natrun, Rum, and Yaroun. For more information, see the Ganymede Map and the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names Approved for 28 Features on Titan

01/21/2015

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for twenty-eight features on Titan: nine insulae, four freta, and fifteen sinūs. For more information, see the Titan North Pole Map and the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name Approved for Crater on Mars

12/09/2014

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Esira for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Descriptor Term and Theme Approved for Use on Titan

11/23/2014

The IAU Working Group for Planetary Nomenclature has modified the definition of the descriptor term sinus and approved it for use on Titan. The theme will be "Names of terrestrial bays, coves, fjords or other inlets." For more information, see the list of descriptor terms and Titan themes in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Descriptor Term and Theme Approved for Use on Titan

11/06/2014

The IAU Working Group for Planetary Nomenclature has approved the descriptor term fretum for use on Titan. The theme will be "Names of characters from the Foundation series of science fiction novels by American author Isaac Asimov (1920-1992)." For more information, see the list of descriptor terms and Titan themes in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Two Themes Approved for Ceres

10/29/2014

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved two themes for use on Ceres. The theme for craters is “Gods and goddesses of agriculture and vegetation from world mythology”. The theme “Names of agricultural festivals of the world” will be used for other features. The new themes can be found on the list of categories for naming features on planets and satellites in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name Approved for a Colles on Mars

10/21/2014

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Hydraotes Colles for a feature on Mars. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names Approved for Four Features on Mars

10/15/2014

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for four features on Mars: Hadriacus Cavi, Napo Vallis, Huallaga Vallis, and a crater, Auce. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names Approved for Four Features on Mars

11/01/2014

The IAU Working Group for Planetary Nomenclature has approved names for four features on Mars: Pital, Juventae Cavi, Hydrae Cavus, and Hydrae Chaos. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name Approved for Flumina on Titan

10/09/2014

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Celadon Flumina for a feature on Titan. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names Approved for Five Features on Titan

10/08/2014

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for five features on Titan: Ecaz Labyrinthus, Kaitain Labyrinthus, Richese Labyrinthus, Caladan Planitia, and Poritrin Planitia. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names for Three Craters on Vesta

10/07/2014

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for three craters on Vesta: Angioletta, Hortensia, and Sentia. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Crater on Mars Named López

10/07/2014

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name López for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the map of Mars quadrangle MC-22 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Chaos on Mars

09/22/2014

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Caralis Chaos for a feature on Mars. For more information, see the map of MC-29 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names Approved for Two Craters on Mars: Bree and Kotka

09/15/2014

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for two craters on Mars: Bree and Kotka. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Fossa on Enceladus

07/21/2014

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Samaria Fossa for a feature on Enceladus. For more information, see the map of Enceladus in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Three New Crater Names Approved for Mercury

06/23/2014

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for three craters on Mercury: Aneirin, Hafiz, and Sanai. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Crater on the Moon

05/20/2014

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Malinkin for a crater on the Moon. For more information, see the map of the Moon quadrangle LAC-144 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Tholus on Mars

05/09/2014

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Nili Tholus for a feature on Mars. For more information, see the map of MC-13 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Mensa on Mars

11/20/2013

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Ophir Mensa for a feature on Mars. For more information, see the map of MC-18 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names for Three Craters on Mars - Betio, Byala, and Halba

11/12/2013

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved new names for three craters on Mars: Betio, Byala, and Halba. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Crater on Mars

10/25/2013

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Sitrah for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the map of MC-24 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Crater on Mars

10/22/2013

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Dollfus for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the map of MC-19 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Coordinates for Named Features on Mercury

10/18/2013

In 2013, the coordinates of the named features in the Mercury portion of the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature were updated from values from the Preliminary MESSENGER control network to values in the MESSENGER Team system. This new set of coordinates was derived using ArcMap version 9.3.1 and the global mosaic of Mercury produced with orbital images by the MESSENGER team and released by NASA’s Planetary Data System on March 8, 2013. This new global mosaic includes 100% coverage of Mercury’s surface.

The Mercury portion of the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature web site now defaults to showing feature coordinates that match the MESSENGER team’s global mosaic. The original ‘Unknown’ source coordinates and the Preliminary MESSENGER coordinates are still retained in the gazetteer, but these data sets are now considered archival and will not be updated with new names or changes to approved names.

New Name for a Martian Crater - Koshoba

09/27/2013

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Koshoba for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the map of MC-13 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Crater on Mars

08/30/2013

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Artik for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the map of MC-29 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Crater on Iapetus

08/16/2013

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Abisme for a crater on Iapetus. For more information, see the map of Iapetus in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names for Four Features on Mars

08/12/2013

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved new names for four features on Mars: Electris Mons, Eridania Mons, Sirenum Mons, and Sirenum Tholus. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names for Three Craters on Mars

08/05/2013

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved new names for three craters on Mars: Belyov, Reutov, and Tyuratam. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names for Three Sulci and One Regio on Ganymede

07/30/2013

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved new names for four features on Ganymede: Melotte Regio, Babylon Sulci, Borsippa Sulcus, and Mummu Sulci. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Crater on Mars

07/15/2013

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Martynov for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the map of MC-26 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Palus on Mars

07/08/2013

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Hadriacus Palus for a small plain on Mars. For more information, see the map of MC-21 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Pluto's Moons P4 and P5

07/02/2013

The IAU has approved the names Kerberos for Pluto's moon formerly known as P4, and Styx for Pluto's moon formerly known as P5. For detailed information about this naming, see the IAU press release. For more information about Kerberos and Styx and other moons and planets in our Solar System, see the Planet and Satellite Names and Discoverers page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Crater on Mercury

06/25/2013

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Fuller for a crater on Mercury. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Valley System on Mars

06/25/2013

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Bashkaus Valles for a valley system on Mars. For more information, see the map of MC-19 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Nine New Names Approved for Craters on Mercury

06/17/2013

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved new names for nine craters on Mercury: Bechet, Damer, David, Erté, Larrocha, Laxness, Monk, Rikyū, and Varma. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Crater on Mercury

06/13/2013

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Duccio for a crater on Mercury. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names for Ten Rupes on Mercury

06/03/2013

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved new names for ten rupēs on Mercury: Alvin Rupes, Belgica Rupes, Calypso Rupes, Carnegie Rupes, Duyfken Rupes, Eltanin Rupes, Enterprise Rupes, Nautilus Rupes, Palmer Rupes, and Terror Rupes. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names for Seven Craters on Mars

06/03/2013

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved new names for seven craters on Mars: Asau, Gunjur, Kalba, Neves, Obock, Quthing, and Wafra. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names for Two Craters on Mars

07/01/2013

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved new names for two craters on Mars: Blunck and Gringauz. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Lacus on Titan

05/24/2013

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Ladoga Lacus for a lacus on Titan. For more information, see the image of the north pole region of Titan in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names for Two Craters on Mars

05/31/2013

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved new names for two craters on Mars: Roddy and Luba. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names for Five Valles on Mercury

04/30/2013

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved new names for five valles on Mercury: Angkor Vallis, Cahokia Vallis, Caral Vallis, Paestum Vallis, and Timgad Vallis. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Changes to Valles and Catenae on Mercury

03/26/2013

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved some changes for Mercury nomenclature. Arecibo Vallis has been changed to Arecibo Catena, Goldstone Vallis has been changed to Goldstone Catena, Haystack Vallis has been changed to Haystack Catena, and Simeiz Vallis has been dropped. The theme for catenae on Mercury is "Radio telescope facilities," and the theme for valles is "Abandoned cities (or towns or settlements) of antiquity." For more information, see the feature categories in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Image Base for 1:1 Million-Scale Lunar Maps

03/18/2013

The 1:1 million-scale maps of the Moon in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature now show the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) Wide Angle Camera (WAC) global morphologic map as the base. Previous versions of the maps used the USGS shaded relief and color-coded topography and the USGS Lunar Orbiter mosaics as the base. The previous versions are no longer supported; URLs that linked to these versions have been redirected to the current maps with the LROC WAC image base. For more information, see the page that describes these maps in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Nine Craters on Mercury

03/15/2013

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved new names for nine craters on Mercury: Alver, Donelaitis, Flaiano, Hurley, L'Engle, Lovecraft, Pahinui, Petőfi, and Roerich. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name Approved for a Vallis on Mars

04/03/2013

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Farah Vallis for a valley on Mars. For more information, see the map of MC-23 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Two New Lacus Names for Titan

03/12/2013

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Urmia Lacus and Sionascaig Lacus for use on Titan. For more information, see the IAU Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Candor Sulci and Nia Tholus Approved on Mars

03/11/2013

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved new names for two features on Mars: Candor Sulci and Nia Tholus. For more information, see the IAU Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Mars Crater Named Farim

03/11/2013

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Farim for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the map of MC-29 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names for a Mons and a Tholus on Mars

03/04/2013

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved new names for two features on Mars: Aonia Mons and Aonia Tholus. For more information, see the IAU Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Channel on Titan

02/13/2013

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Vid Flumina for a channel on Titan. For more information, see the IAU Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Martian Crater Named Lucaya

01/30/2013

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Lucaya for a crater on Mars. For more information, see the map of MC-21 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Nine Craters on Mercury

03/15/2013

Names for Five Colles and One Patera on Titan

12/19/2012

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for five colles on Titan (Arwen Colles, Bilbo Colles, Faramir Colles, Handir Colles, and Nimloth Colles). The feature formerly called Sotra Facula has been changed to Sotra Patera. For more information, see this image of Titan in the IAU Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names for Six Features on Mars

11/26/2012

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for six features on Mars: Camichel, Dukhan, Kolonga, Liberta, Sibut, and Okavango Valles. For more information, see the IAU Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Fifteen New Names for Vesta

11/21/2012

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for eleven craters, two catenae, one dorsum, and one tholus on Vesta (Albana, Domna, Eumachia, Eutropia, Fonteia, Galeria, Mamilia, Myia, Paulina, Pomponia, Torquata, Albalonga Catena, Robigalia Catena, Lavinium Dorsum, and Brumalia Tholus). For more information, see the IAU Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Eight New Names for Titan Surface Features

11/13/2012

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for seven montes and one fluctus on Titan (Mohini Fluctus, Doom Mons, Erebor Mons, Irensaga Montes, Mindolluin Montes, Misty Montes, Mithrim Montes, and Taniquetil Montes). For more information, see the IAU Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names for Five Paterae and One Cavus on Mars

10/29/2012

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for five paterae and one cavus on Mars: Eden Patera, Euphrates Patera, Ismenia Patera, Oxus Patera, Oxus Cavus, and Siloe Patera. For more information, see the IAU Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Small Vallis on Mars

09/26/2012

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Peace Vallis for a small valley near the Mars Science Laboratory landing site in Gale crater. For more information, see the IAU Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names for Two Features on Mars

09/18/2012

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for two features on Mars: Candor Colles and Ceti Labes. For more information, see the IAU Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Mercury Crater Named Chesterton

09/17/2012

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Chesterton for the crater on Mercury located at 88.3N, 134.5W. For details, see the map of Mercury quadrangle H-1 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Small Martian Crater Named Yellowknife

09/10/2012

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Yellowknife for the Martian crater located at 4.58S, 137.44E. For more information, see the map of MC-23 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Three New Names Approved for Martian Features

08/27/2012

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for two craters (Cayon and Fancy) and a serpens (Aeolis Serpens) on Mars. For more information, see the maps of MC-15 and MC-23 for Aeolis Serpens and MC-28 for Cayon and Fancy in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Coordinates of Named Features on Io Updated to Voyager/Galileo SSI

08/20/2012

In 2012, the coordinates of the named features in the Io portion of the International Astronomical Union Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature were updated from values from historical sources to values in the Voyager/Galileo SSI control network. The purpose of this work was to facilitate the identification of named features on Io. Dots representing the center coordinates of named features should fall in the centers of the features when displayed on any map product based on the Voyager/Galileo SSI reference frame. The extents and sizes of the named features were also updated; these data are approximate and are intended solely to give the user sufficient information to identify named features and their rough extents.

This new set of coordinates was derived using ArcMap version 10.0 and the 2011 Geologic Map of Io by David Williams et al. Vectors describing feature extents are based on the geologic contacts shown on this map. We are also grateful for help and advice provided by Dr. Rosaly Lopes and Dr. Jani Radebaugh.

The Io portion of the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature web site now defaults to showing feature coordinates in the frame of the Voyager/Galileo SSI control network. The original coordinates (from unknown sources) are still retained in the gazetteer and can be viewed by selecting the desired coordinate set from a dropdown menu on the feature pages. The "Unknown" coordinates are now considered archival and will not be updated with new names or changes to approved names.

Nine New Crater Names Approved on Mercury

07/30/2012

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved nine new names for craters on Mercury: Egonu, Gaudí, Kandinsky, Petronius, Prokofiev, Tolkien, Tryggvadóttir, Qiu Ying, and Yoshikawa. For details, see the list of Mercury feature names and the map of Mercury quadrangle H-1 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Dorsa on Mars

07/27/2012

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Aeolis Dorsa for the Martian feature located at 5.0S, 152.6E. For more information, see the map of MC-23 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Chasma on Venus

07/20/2012

The southern segment of Devana Chasma on Venus has been renamed Rona Chasma. For more information, see the maps of V-29 and V-41 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names for a Crater and a Colles on Mars

07/20/2012

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Lederberg for the Martian crater located at 13N, 314E and Ulysses Colles for the colles at 6.1N, 236.9E. For more information, see the maps of MC-9 (for Ulysses Colles) and MC-10 (for Lederberg) in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names Approved for Twelve Small Lunar Craters

06/15/2012

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved 12 new names for small craters on the Moon: Albert, Borya, Gena, Igor, Kolya, Kostya, Leonid, Nikolya, Slava, Valera, Vasya, and Vitya. For details, see the map of LAC 24 and the Lunokhod-1 traverse map in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Martian Crater Named Moanda

07/05/2012

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Moanda for the Martian crater located at 35.93S, 320.0E. For more information, see the map of MC-26 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Martian Crater Coordinates now in MDIM 2.1

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 10:11 MST

In October 2010, the coordinates of the named craters in the Martian portion of the nomenclature database were updated from values from the Mars Digital Image Mosaic (MDIM) 2.0 control network to values in the MDIM 2.1 control network. The purpose of this work is to facilitate the identification of named Martian craters. The locations of the craters in the KML and shapefiles will correspond to the crater locations on any map product that was created using the same MDIM 2.1 control network.

The extents and sizes of the named craters were also updated; these data are approximate and are intended solely to give the user sufficient information to identify the craters and their rough extents. A link to a more precise global crater database by Stuart Robbins will be provided when available.

This new set of coordinates was derived using ArcMap version 9.3.1 and the Mars Digial Image Mosaic 2.1. Some small craters are not resolved well in the MDIM 2.1 image; for these cases, feature coordinates were derived from the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) Day IR 100m global mosaic. We would like to thank Stuart Robbins (University of Colorado, Boulder) for sharing a portion of his forthcoming global crater database, which provided a valuable and time-saving starting point for this work.

The Martian portion of the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature now defaults to a new set of coordinates; the craters match MDIM 2.1, and the non-crater features are still in the MDIM 2.0 control network. The craters were updated first because they are the smallest features and therefore the mismatch between MDIM 2.0 and MDIM 2.1 was most obvious. Named non-crater features will be updated at a later date. The data set that contains all of the features in the MDIM 2.0 control network is still retained in the gazetteer, but is now considered archival and will not be updated with new names or changes to approved names.

Coordinates of Named Lunar Features Now Available in LOLA Reference Frame

06/04/2012

In 2012, coordinates of the named features in the lunar portion of the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature (WGPSN) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature were updated. Previous coordinates were based on maps using the Unified Lunar Control Network (ULCN) 2005 coordinate reference frame. The new coordinates are derived from maps made in the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Lunar Orbiter Laser Altimeter (LOLA) coordinate reference frame. These reference frames are referred to the mean Earth/polar axis reference coordinate system for the Moon. The updated coordinates will facilitate the identification of named lunar features on images derived from LOLA topography. Dots representing the center coordinates of named features should fall in the centers of the features when displayed on any map product based on the LOLA reference frame.

The extents and sizes of named features were also updated; these data are approximate and are intended solely to give the user sufficient information to identify named features and their rough extents. A link to a more precise lunar crater database (now in preparation) by Dr. Nadine Barlow will be provided when available.

This new set of coordinates was derived using ArcMap version 10.0 as a display tool, a lunar hillshade image based on LOLA topography (LDEM_128.jp2, 128 pixels/degree or 237 m/pixel, released December 2011, http://pds-geosciences.wustl.edu/missions/lro/lola.htm), and a LRO Wide Angle Camera (WAC) image mosaic (released November 2011, http://wms.lroc.asu.edu/lroc/global_product/100_mpp_global_bw). Feature boundaries were determined using both images, but the features were aligned to the LOLA hillshade image where there were slight discrepancies.

The lunar portion of the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature web site now displays feature coordinates in the LOLA reference frame. The original coordinates (from unknown sources) and the ULCN 2005 coordinates are retained in the gazetteer and can be viewed by gazetteer users by selecting the desired coordinate set from a dropdown menu on the feature pages. The “Unknown” and ULCN 2005 coordinates are now considered archival and will not be updated with new names or changes to approved names.

First Names Approved for Asteroid (2867) Steins

05/11/2012

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for 23 craters and one regio on asteroid (2867) Steins. For details, see the list of Steins feature names and the image of Steins in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Three New Names Approved for Earth's Moon

04/17/2009

Three new names have been approved in the polar areas of the Moon; the names Hinshelwood and Whipple for the north pole region, and the name Braude for the south pole region. For more information, see the list of Moon crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Nine New Ring Gap Names Approved for Saturn's Ring System

02/09/2009

The following names have been approved for gaps in Saturn's ring system: Bond Gap, Dawes Gap, Herschel Gap, Russell Gap, Jeffreys Gap, Kuiper Gap, Laplace Gap, Bessel Gap, and Barnard Gap. See the "Ring and Ring Gap Nomenclature" page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

Nineteen New Names Approved for Earth's Moon

01/22/2009

The names Aepinus, Bosch, Erlanger, Fibiger, Florey, Gore, Grignard, Haber, Hevesy, Haskin, Houssay, Ibn Bajja, Kocher, Kuhn, Laveran, Nefed'ev, Svedberg, von Baeyer, and Wapowski have been approved for craters in the north and south polar regions of the Moon. For more information, see the list of Moon crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Two New Crater Names Approved for Earth's Moon

10/30/2008

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.

Division Named in Saturn's Ring System

12/26/2007

The name Roche Division has been approved for the division between Saturn's A and F rings. See the ring nomenclature page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

Descriptor Term Mare Maria Approved for use on Titan

11/16/2007

The descriptor term mare/maria has been approved for use on Titan for large expanses of dark materials thought to be liquid hydrocarbons. The theme for maria on Titan is "Sea creatures from myth and literature." Please see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

Dwarf Planet 136472 2005 FY9 Named Makemake

07/14/2008

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.

Pluto's Moons Named Hydra and Nix

06/26/2006

Pluto's two newest satellites have been named Hydra and Nix by the International Astronomical Union. For more information, refer to the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature, particularly the page that describes planet and satellite names and their discoverers.

Martian Patera Sizes Adjusted and New Mons and Tholus Names Introduced

09/19/2007

The descriptor term 'patera' is defined in the gazetteer as "an irregular crater, or a complex one with scalloped edges" (see Descriptor Terms). The sizes of seven Martian features (Alba, Apollinaris, Biblis, Hadriaca, Tyrrhena, Ulysses, and Uranius Paterae) have increased over time from the sizes of the central depressions to the sizes of the entire edifices. In order to correct this inconsistency in the database, the sizes of these paterae have been adjusted to correspond only to the central depressions.

New names for the mons/tholus features have been introduced. The new names are: Alba Mons, Apollinaris Mons, Biblis Tholus, Hadriacus Mons, Tyrrhenus Mons, Ulysses Tholus, and Uranius Mons.

Name approved for Saturn's satellite S/2007 S 4

08/23/2007

The name Anthe has been approved for Saturn XLIX. Anthe is one of the Alkyonides, the seven beautiful daughters of the Giant Alkyoneos. Anthe orbits in the region between Methone and Pallene, named for two other Alkyonides. Please visit the Planet and Satellite Names and Discoverers page�in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

Changes to Venus Nomenclature

12/09/2009

The name Mnemosyne Regio has been dropped, and the name Metis Regio has been changed to Metis Mons. For more information, see the Venus section of the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Change to IAU rule

03/20/2006

Rule number 3 on page http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/rules.html has been amended to better describe the circumstances under which planetary features are named.

New Names for Enceladus

11/13/2006

The following names have been approved for use on Enceladus: Al-Bakbuk, Al-Fakik, Al-Haddar, Al-Kuz, Al-Mustazi, Ayyub, Aziz, Behram, Fitnah, Ghanim, Hassan, Jansha, Khusrau, Marjanah, Omar, Otbah, Rayya, Shakashik, Sharrkan, Shirin, Zumurrud, Cufa Dorsa, Ebony Dorsum, Anbar Fossae, Khorasan Fossa, Alexandria Sulcus, Baghdad Sulcus, Cairo Sulcus, Camphor Sulcus, Cashmere Sulci, Damascus Sulcus, Hamah Sulci, Labtayt Sulci, Láhej Sulci, and Mosul Sulci.

For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Furachoga Corona Dropped

02/05/2007

Detailed geologic mapping has revealed that Furachoga Corona on Venus is a deformation belt rather than a corona. This name, which was approved in 1997, has been dropped and is no longer in use.

No More Provisional Names

09/06/2006

There has been an important change in the approval process for planetary feature names; the designation of "provisional nomenclature" is no longer used. As soon as the IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature (WGPSN) has successfully reviewed a name, it is considered approved and can be used in publications. Immediately after WGPSN approval, names are entered into the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Any objections to these names based on significant, substantive problems must be forwarded in writing or email to the IAU Division III president within three months of the names being published in the gazetteer.

This new policy will allow for much more efficient use of planetary feature names for the scientific community, and it will streamline and simplify the use of planetary feature names in the publication process.

New Phobos Maps

03/13/2007

Two new maps of Phobos showing named features have been added to the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. One map is a global view in cylindrical projection, and the other shows north and south hemispherical views.

New Name on Mars

07/07/2006

The name Ganges Chaos has been provisionally approved for use on Mars. See the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information about this name and an image showing the feature.

New name on Venus

06/01/2006

The name Lindgren Patera has been provisionally approved for Venus. This feature can be seen on the image of V-16 from the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Spelling of Saturn XXVIII

12/17/2007

The spelling of the saturnian satellite Erriapo has been changed from the dative to the nominative case: Erriapus.

New Names for Phobos

12/04/2006

Eight new names for craters on Phobos have been approved by the IAU. The names are Clustril, Drunlo, Flimnap, Grildrig, Gulliver, Limtoc, Reldresal, and Skyresh. For more information about these feature names, please see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names on Mars

09/14/2006

Five new names have been approved for Mars: Angustus Labyrinthus, Chronius Mons, Promethei Mons, Sisyphi Tholus, and Thyles Montes. The names Australis Patera, Angusta Patera, and Cavi Frigores have been marked as dropped in the database. New imagery has shown that the two paterae were named using the wrong descriptor term, and the area previously named Cavi Frigores has been incorporated into the adjacent Cavi Angusti.

The definition of the descriptor term labyrinthus has been expanded from "Complex of intersecting valleys" to "Complex of intersecting valleys or ridges."

See the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

Cerberus Fossae Expanded

10/11/2007

The boundary of the Martian feature Cerberus Fossae has been expanded to include nearby fossae. Please see the listing in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for the new coordinates and size.

Phobos Images with Names

01/29/2007

The Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature now contains images showing the recently approved names on Phobos.

New Names on Venus

07/19/2006

The following names have been provisionally approved by the IAU for features on Venus. The database information and images showing the features can be seen on the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Chanum Coronae

Witte Patera

Azimua Tholi

Otohime Tholus

The name Oanuava Corona has been changed to the plural form Oanuava Coronae.

Provisional Names Approved

08/30/2006

All of the names that have been provisionally approved by the IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature over the past three years were fully approved by the IAU at the General Assembly in Prague last week. The codes in the 'approval status' field for these names have been changed from '3' which denotes provisionally approved to '5' which denotes fully approved. See the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for details.

Martian Crater Named Toro

11/24/2008

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 Name for Martian Crater

02/07/2007

The name Louth has been approved for the martian crater located at 70.2N, 256.88W. See the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

Mercury Crater Named Rembrandt

02/27/2009

The name Rembrandt has been approved for the Mercury crater located at 33.2S, 271.8W. For more information, see the list of Mercury crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Crater on Titan

08/04/2008

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.

Titan Mare and Insula Names

04/11/2008

The IAU has approved three new names for Titan surface features. Two of the "seas" near Titan's north pole have been named Kraken Mare and Ligeia Mare, and the large island in the northern part of Kraken Mare has been named Mayda Insula.

For more information about these new names, please visit the Titan portion of the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature, and the image that shows the north pole region.

New Lacus Name on Titan

03/29/2010

The name Jingpo Lacus has been approved for the feature located at 73N, 336W. For more information, see the list of Titan surface features and the map of the north polar region of Titan in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Spelling of Saturnian Satellite Changed

07/12/2007

The spelling of the name of Saturn XLIV has been changed from Hyrokkin to Hyrrokkin, the original Norse spelling. For more information, see the page that describes planet and satellite names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Crater on Mercury

03/18/2010

The name Rachmaninoff has been approved for the crater on Mercury located at 27.6N, 302.4W. For more information, see the list of Mercury crater names and the map of this region of Mercury in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Jupiter L Named Herse

11/09/2009

The name Herse has been approved for Juipter L. Herse is a daughter of Zeus and divine moon (Selene). For more information, see the "Planet and Satellite Names and Discoverers" page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Approval Status Code

03/27/2007

A new approval status code has been added to the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature to distinguish 45 lunar names that are listed in the gazetteer, but were never officially approved by the IAU. The approval status code for these names is 7, and the names are shown in brown type and in brackets in the gazetteer lists. Please see the page Specifics of the Gazetteer for more information.

Names Approved for 31 Craters on Mars

09/20/2006

The following names for 31 craters on Mars have been approved by the IAU: Ada, Alamos, Beruri, Bopolu, Cefal, Chupadero, Dulovo, Elorza, Grindavik, Hargraves, Hashir, Iazu, Jrn, Kontum, Lismore, Makhambet, Martin, Mazamba, Nakusp, Ohara, Pebas, Runanga, Sefadu, Shardi, Soffen, Taytay, Uzer, Woking, Xainza, Yalgoo, and Zarand. For more information about these names, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Starting and Ending Latitudes and Longitudes

06/01/2006

The starting and ending latitudes and longitudes for the named features on Venus, Mars, Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto are now available on the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. These coordinates can be viewed by displaying the table of features for a body and then selecting "Show All Fields" near the top of the table, or by selecting the box labeled "Extent" at the bottom of the page.

Martian Crater Named Matara

11/30/2009

The name Matara has been approved for the martian crater located at 49.62S, 325.48W. For more information, see the list of Martian crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Crater Name on Dione

02/13/2008

The name Camilla has been approved for a crater (4.41S, 60.0W, 31.2 km) on Dione. Please see the list of craters on Dione in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

New Name for a Corona on Venus

12/09/2009

The name Azham Corona has been approved for the corona located at 66.4N, 252.7E. For more information, see the list of Venus corona names and the map of Venus quadrangle V-6 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Six New Names on Mars

12/14/2006

The following names have been approved for Mars: Chaman, Eilat, Henry Moore, Pau, Vernal, and Wynn-Williams. For more information about these names and to see images that show their locations, please visit the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Satellite Names Approved

03/29/2007

Thirteen names for saturnian sateliites (Aegir, Bebhionn, Bergelmir, Bestla, Farbauti, Fenrir, Fornjot, Hati, Hyrokkin, Kari, Loge, Skoll, and Surtur) and one name for a jovian satellite (Kore) have been approved by the IAU WGPSN. For more information, see the page that describes Planet and Satellite Names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names Approved for Venus

09/25/2006

Names for seven coronae and one tholus have been approved by the IAU for use on Venus. The names are Anjea Corona, Durga Corona, Hutash Corona, Ikas Coronae, Orbona Corona, Partula Corona, Parvati Corona, and Ezili Tholus. Please see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

Martian Crater Named Saravan

02/06/2009

The name Saravan has been approved for the Martian crater located at 16.96S, 54.0W. For more information, see the list of Martian crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Martian Crater Named Leighton

11/03/2009

The name Leighton has been approved for the martian crater located at 3.0N, 302.3W. For more information, see the list of Martian feature names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Martian Crater Named Asimov

05/04/2009

The name Asimov has been approved for the Martian crater located at 47.0S, 355.0W. For more information, see the list of Martian crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Name Approved for Martian Crater

05/11/2007

The name Sinton has been approved for the 65 km Martian crater located at 40.7N, 31.6E. To see a map that shows this feature, visit the map of Martian quadrangle MC-5 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Martian Patera Name Dropped

12/07/2007

The name Diacria Patera has been officially dropped. The name was originally approved in 1985 for a circular feature located at 34.9N, 132.6W, but higher resolution imagery later revealed that the feature is not a patera.

New Valles Name on Mars

07/17/2008

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.

New Names for Uranus Rings

11/13/2006

The following names have been approved for rings of Uranus:

Mu (for R/2003 U 1)

Nu (for R/2003 U 2)

Lambda (for 1986 U1R)

For more information, see the page that describes ring and ring gap nomenclature at the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature web site.

New Chaos Name for Mars

12/06/2007

The name Erythraeum Chaos has been approved for the chaos feature located at 21.8S, 12.4W on Mars. See the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

Martian Crater Named Kibuye

01/12/2010

The name Kibuye has been approved for the Martian crater located at 29.13S, 178.29W. For more information, see the list of Martian crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name for a Vallis on Mars

02/11/2009

The name Sungari Vallis has been approved for the Martian vallis located at 40.35S, 271.16W. For more information, see the list of Martian vallis names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Martian Crater Named Endeavour

10/20/2008

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.

Martian Crater Named Cross

02/19/2009

The name Cross has been approved for the Martian crater located at 30.2S, 157.8W. For more information, see the list of Martian crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Saturnian Satellite Named Aegaeon

05/05/2009

The name Aegaeon has been approved for Saturn LIII. Aegaeon is a hundred-armed giant, called Briareus by the gods. For more information, see the "Planet and Satellite Names and Discoverers" page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Martian Crater Named Oyama

03/26/2010

The name Oyama has been approved for the Martian crater located at 23.66N, 20.17W. For more information, see the list of Martian crater names and the map of MC-11 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names Approved for Dione

03/18/2008

The IAU has approved 45 new names for surface features on Dione, including 34 craters, 3 catenae, 3 chasmata, 1 dorsa, and 4 fossae. Please see the list of Dione names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

The following five changes to existing names were also approved:

Amata was moved to a smaller, well-defined crater.

Carthage Linea was changed to Carthage Fossae.

Cassandra was moved to a smaller, well-defined crater.

Padua Linea was changed to Padua Chasmata.

The length of Palatine Chasmata was amended and the descriptor term was changed to the plural form.

New Labyrinthus Name on Titan

01/06/2010

The descriptor term labyrinthus has been approved for use on Titan with the theme "Names of Planets from the Dune series of science fiction novels by American author Frank Herbert (1920-1986)." The name Sikun Labyrinthus has been approved for the feature located at 78S, 29W. For more information, see the list of Titan surface features in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Martian Crater Named Capen

01/02/2008

A 70 km crater on Mars, located at 6.57N, 345.73W, has been named for the American astronomer Charles F. Capen. Please see the map of MC-12 and the list of Martian feature names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

Titan North Pole Image

10/15/2007

An image mosaic of the north pole area of Titan showing the newly named lacus features is now linked to the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Dwarf Planet 2003 UB313 named Eris

09/14/2006

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.

Name Approved for Uranian Ring

04/02/2007

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.

Mercury Maps Showing Named Features

01/06/2010

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.

Five New Names Approved for Martian Craters

04/16/2007

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.

New Names and an Amended Theme for Mercury

11/20/2008

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.

Four New Names for Martian Surface Features

07/01/2009

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.

Three New Names Approved for Use on Europa

08/23/2007

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 Names Approved for Martian Craters

11/25/2009

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.

New Corona Name Approved for Venus

03/14/2008

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.

Twelve New Names Approved for Use on Titan

09/28/2007

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.

Encke Division Changed to Encke Gap

02/06/2008

The name Encke Division, part of Saturn's ring nomenclature, has been changed to Encke Gap in order to conform to the definiton of divisions and gaps recently posted on the Ring and Ring Gap Nomenclature page of the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Martian Crater Formally Named Victoria

12/30/2008

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.

Lacus and Mare Names Approved for Titan

11/14/2008

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.

Six New Regio Names Approved for Europa

05/11/2007

The following regio names have been approved for use on Europa: Annwn Regio, Balgatan Regio, Dyfed Regio, Falga Regio, Powys Regio, and Tara Regio. For more information about these names and the features to which they have been applied, see the Europa map on the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature web site.

Two New Martian Crater Names Approved

03/04/2010

Two new names have been approved for Martian craters: Cankuzo and Luqa. For more information, see the list of Martian crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Ten New Names Approved for Mercury Craters

03/03/2010

The following names have been approved for craters on Mercury: Bek, Copland, Debussy, Dominici, Firdousi, Geddes, Hokusai, Kipling, Picasso, and Steichen. For more information, see the list of Mercury crater names and the Mercury nomenclature maps in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

First Features Named on Asteroid Itokawa

07/21/2006

The IAU has provisionally approved names for three features on Itokawa. The names are MUSES-C Regio, Sagamihara Regio, and Uchinoura Regio. Please visit the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for details.

New Names for Iapetus Surface Features

08/05/2008

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.

Names Approved for Three Small Martian Craters

04/16/2008

The IAU has approved the names Avire, Niquero, and Triolet for three small craters in quadrangle MC-24. For more information about these features, please visit the Mars section of the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Six New Crater Names Approved for Mimas

07/15/2008

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.

New Names Approved for Four Satellites of Neptune

01/29/2007

The following names have been approved for four satellites of Neptune:

Neptune IX (Halimede)

Neptune XI (Sao)

Neptune XII (Laomedeia)

Neptune XIII (Neso)

More information about these names can be found on the Planet and Satellite Names and Discoverers page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names Approved for Craters on Rhea

04/23/2010

Forty-two new names have been approved for craters on Rhea. For more information, see the list of Rhea crater names and the map of Rhea in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Two New Names Approved for use on Mars

07/25/2007

The name Olympia Rupēs has been approved for a series of scarps in the north polar region of Mars, and the name Jezero has been approved for a crater on the western edge of Isidis Planitia. See the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

Names for the Columbia astronauts provisionally approved

03/23/2006

Names for seven craters in the Apollo basin on the Moon have been provisionally approved by the International Astronomical Union to honor the seven Space Shuttle Columbia astronauts. The names can be seen in the list of lunar crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

The names are:

Husband

McCool

Chawla

L. Clark

M. Anderson

D. Brown

Ramon

Note that first initials have been used for Anderson, Brown, and Clark to distingiush them from other crater names on the Moon which honor persons with the same surnames.

Name Approved for Small Martian Crater

08/11/2008

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.

Nineteen New Names Approved for Earths Moon

01/22/2009

Division Named in Saturns Ring System

12/26/2007

The name Roche Division has been approved for the division between Saturn's A and F rings. See the ring nomenclature page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

Seven New Names in the Elysium Region of Mars

06/20/2006

The following names in the Elysium region of Mars have been provisionally approved by the IAU. The database information and images showing the features can be seen on the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Aeolis Planum

Cerberus Palus

Cerberus Tholi

Lethe Vallis

Persbo

Tombaugh

Zephyria Planum

Two New Names Approved for Use on Venus

05/10/2007

The names Copacati Mons and Urash Corona have been approved for use on Venus. Please see the image of Venus quadrangle V-17 and the feature lists in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

Three New Names Approved for Features on Titan

04/05/2010

The names Arrakis Planitia, Polaznik Macula, and Uanui Virgae have been approved for features on Titan. For more information, see the list of Titan surface features and the map of Titan in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Map Showing Enceladus Names

11/28/2006

A new map of Enceladus showing all IAU-approved names has been posted on the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Fifteen New Names Approved for Mars

06/19/2006

The following names have been provisionally approved by the IAU for features on Mars. The database information and images showing the features can be seen on the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Abalos Mensa

Abalos Scopuli

Baetis Chaos

Boola

Columbia Valles

Chryse Colles

Crotone

Daga Vallis

Hyperborea Lingula

Jojutla

Olympia Cavi

Olympia Mensae

Puyo

Tenuis Mensa

Xanthe Chaos

Three New Crater Names Approved on Mars

02/26/2008

The names Phedra, Tavua, and Zaranj have been approved for small Martian craters. Please see the list of Martian crater names and the map of MC-14 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

Two New Names Approved for Martian Features

08/06/2009

Two new names have been approved for use on Mars. The name Gasa has been applied to a small crater located at 35.68S, 230.72W (see the MC-29 map), and the name Ismenius Cavus has been approved for the feature at 33.84N, 343.0W (see the MC-5 map). For more information, see the list of Martian feature names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name Approved for Martian Surface Feature

04/30/2007

The name Gemina Lingula has been approved for a Martian feature located in the northern hemisphere at about 82N, 5E. For more information, see the map of the Martian quadrangle MC-1 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Crater Name Approved on Titan

02/15/2008

A crater on Titan located at 7.0N, 199.0W has been named Selk for the Egyptian goddess of knowledge, writing, education, and reptiles. See the Titan list of craters and images in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

Large Crater on Mars Named Miyamoto

12/18/2007

A 160 km crater on Mars has been named for Shotaro Miyamoto, a Japanese astronomer who made many important observations of Mars. The crater is located at 2.9S, 7.0W and can be seen on map MC-19 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name Approved for Use on Venus

03/06/2007

The Name Kono Mons has been approved for the Venusian feature located at 19.5N, 268.0E on Venus quadrangle V-28. See the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

Ten New Names Approved for Enceladus Features

02/05/2010

The following new names have been approved by the IAU for sulci and fossae on Enceladus: Al-Medinah Sulci, Al-Yaman Sulci, Andal's Sulci, Bulak Sulcus, Makran Sulci, Misr Sulci, Shiraz Sulcus, Sind Sulci, Bishangarh Fossae, and Kaukabán Fossae. For more information, see the list of Enceladus names and the Enceladus image showing locations of named features.

Three New Names Approved for Earths Moon

04/17/2009

Four New Crater Names Approved on Mars

02/12/2009

The names Danielson, Galap, Lipik, and Sarh have been approved for Martian craters. For more information, see the list of Martian crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Two New Patera Names for Io

07/03/2007

Two new patera names have been approved for use on Io: Prometheus Patera and Grian Patera. See the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

New Regio Name Approved for Titan

05/07/2009

The name Hotei Regio has been approved for the region at 26.0S, 78.0W on Titan. Hotei Arcus forms the southern margin of Hotei Regio. For more information, see the list of regio names on Titan and the Titan VIMS mosaic in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Five New Crater Names Approved on Mars

01/22/2008

Five new names (Coimbra, Kalocsa, Mellit, Naruko, and Penticton) have been approved for craters on Mars. Please see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for details.

New names on Olympus Mons Mars

04/27/2006

Names for two craters on Olympus Mons have been provisionally approved by the IAU. The names are Karzok and Pangboche and they can be seen on the MC-9 image from the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names for Two Small Craters on Venus

11/03/2009

Two new names have been approved for small craters on Venus: Alina and Amelia. For more information, see the list of Venus crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name Approved for Venusian Crater

04/04/2007

The name Larisa has been approved for the 3.7 km Venusian crater located at 18.47S, 131.0E. Please see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

New Feature Names Approved for Tethys

04/28/2008

The IAU has approved 33 new names for surface features on Tethys. The new names include 31 craters, one chasma, and one montes. Please visit the Tethys section of the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

New Name Approved for a Mons on Mars

07/06/2009

The name Syria Mons has been approved for the Martian mons located at 13.9S, 104.3W. For more information, see the list of Martian mons names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Plutos Moons Named Hydra and Nix

06/26/2006

Sixteen Names Approved for Craters on Mercury

07/09/2009

The following names have been approved for craters on Mercury: Abedin, Benoit, Berkel, Calvino, de Graft, Derain, Eastman, Gibran, Hemingway, Hodgkins, Izquierdo, Kunisada, Lange, Matabei, Munk芍csy, and To Ngoc Van. For more information, see the list of Mercury crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Seventeen New Names Approved for Craters on Enceladus

11/17/2009

The following new names have been approved by the IAU for craters on Enceladus: Ajib, Bahman, Harun, Hisham, Ishak, Ja'afar, Kamar, Kasim, Ma'aruf, Masrur, Morgiana, Mustafa, Parwez, Perizadah, Sabur, Yunan, and Zaynab. For more information, see the list of Enceladus crater names and the Enceladus image showing locations of named features.

Three New Names Approved for Features on Mars

05/16/2012

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the names Aeolis Mons, Aeolis Palus, and Robert Sharp. For more information, see the maps of MC-22 and MC-23 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name Descriptor Term and Theme Approved for Use on Titan

08/04/2009

The descripter term planitia has been approved for use on Titan with the theme "Names of planets from the Dune series of science fiction novels by American author Frank Herbert (1920 - 1986)." The first planitia name on Titan has also been approved; Chusuk Planitia is located at 5.0S, 23.5W. For more information, see the list of Titan planitia names and the Titan images showing named features in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Nine New Ring Gap Names Approved for Saturns Ring System

02/09/2009

Five New Names Approved for Titan Surface Features

03/02/2007

The following five names have been approved for use on Titan: Ara Fluctus, Leilah Fluctus, Rohe Fluctus, Winia Fluctus, and Polelya Macula. See the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information and an image that shows the locations of these features.

Four New Crater Names Approved for use on Mars

07/01/2008

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.

Six New Names Approved for Venus Surface Features

09/04/2009

Six new names have been approved for use on Venus: Fulgora Dorsa, Heloha Fluctus, Sarasvati Mons, Akka Tholus, Eirene Tholus, and Yansa Tholus. All six of these features can be seen on the Venus map V-1. For more information, see the list of Venus feature names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name Chryse Chaos and New Boundaries for Simud Valles on Mars

03/31/2008

The IAU has approved a new name for a chaos feature, and defined new coordinates for a valles on Mars.

The name Chryse Chaos has been approved for the chaos feature located at 10.4N, 36.7W. The name Simud Vallis has been changed to the plural form of the descriptor term, Simud Valles, and the coordinates of the feature have been changed. Please see the listings in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature and the map of Mars quadrangle MC-11 for details.

Euclides D Reinstated for Lunar Crater Formerly Named Eppinger

07/13/2009

The name Euclides D has been officially reinstated for the lunar crater formerly named Eppinger. The 6 km crater is located at 9.4S, 25.7W, on lunar map LAC 76. For more information, see the list of satellite features (lettered craters) in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Two New Crater Names Approved for Earths Moon

10/30/2008

Fourteen New Names Approved for Craters and Regiones on Itokawa

02/18/2009

The names Catalina, Fuchinobe, Gando, Hammaguira, Kamisunagawa, Kamoi, Komaba, Laurel, Miyabaru, San Marco, Arcoona Regio, LINEAR Regio, Ohsumi Regio, and Yoshinobu Regio have been approved for craters and regiones on Itokawa. For more information, see the list of Itokawa feature names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Three New Saturnian Moon Names and Expansion of Theme

09/21/2007

The IAU has approved names for three more Saturnian moons. They are:

Saturn L = S/2006 S 6 Jarnsaxa

Saturn LI = S/2006 S 4 Greip

Saturn LII = S/2007 S 1 Tarqeq

The theme for prograde satellites with an inclination of around 48 degrees has been expanded to include Inuit spirits. See the Planet and Satellite Names and Discoverers page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more details.

Twelve New Names and a New Theme for Fossae Approved for Use on Mercury

04/09/2008

The following new names have been approved by the IAU for use on Mercury.

Craters: Apollodorus, Atget, Cunningham, Eminescu, Kertész, Neruda, Raditladi, Sander, Sveinsdóttir, Xiao Zhao

Rupes: Beagle Rupes

Fossae: Pantheon Fossae

The newly approved theme for fossae on Mercury is "Significant works of architecture."

Please visit the Mercury section of the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

New Names for 23 Craters on Mercury

04/24/2012

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved 23 new names for craters on Mercury. For details, see the list of Mercury feature names and the images of Mercury in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Small Lunar Crater Named Lev

03/29/2012

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Lev for the small lunar crater located at 12.7N, 62.2E. For more information, see the map of LAC 62 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Martian Crater Named Keren

03/28/2012

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Keren for the Martian crater located at 20.98N, 337.5E. For more information, see the map of MC-11 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Martian Crater Named Domoni

03/07/2012

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name Domoni for the Martian crater located at 51.38N, 234.39E. For more information, see the map of MC-2 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names for 21 Craters on Vesta

02/28/2012

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved 21 new names for craters on Vesta. For details, see the list of Vesta feature names and the image of Vesta in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Mercury Crater Named Stieglitz

02/28/2012

The name Stieglitz has been approved for a crater on Mercury. For more information, see the map of Mercury quadrangle H-1 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Two Craters on Mars Named Baucau and Arima

02/22/2012

The names Arima and Baucau have been approved for craters on Mars. For more information, see the map of Mars quadrangle MC-18 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Venus Nomenclature Changes

02/09/2011

Detailed geologic mapping has revealed the need to change the approved nomenclature for four features on Venus. In quadrangle V-1, Szél-anya Dorsa has been changed to Szél-anya Lineae, and Tezan Dorsa has been changed to Tezan Lineae. In quadrangle V-6, the names Lorelei and Labé Patera have been dropped.

Two New Names Approved for Craters on Titan

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:54 MST

The names Hano and Momoy have been approved for craters on Titan. For more information, see the Titan page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Three New Names for Features on Mars and Changes to an Approved Name

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 09:29 MST

The names Lipany, Oenotria Plana, and Zarqa Valles have been approved for use on Mars. The name Oenotria Scopulus has been changed to the plural form, Oenotria Scopuli, to accomodate the addition of several scarps to this feature. For more information, see the maps of MC-13 and MC-21 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Three New Lacus Names Approved on Titan

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 10:03 MST

Three new lacus names (Cardiel Lacus, Freeman Lacus, and Towada Lacus) have been approved for use on Titan. For more information, see the Titan page and the map of the north polar region of Titan in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Themes Approved for Asteroid 21 Lutetia

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 08:38 MST

The following themes have been approved for naming surface features on asteroid (21) Lutetia:

Craters: Cities of the Roman Empire and the adjacent parts of Europe at the time of Lutetia (52 BC - 360 AD)

Regiones: Discoverer of Lutetia, and provinces of the Roman Empire at the time of Lutetia

Other features: Rivers of the Roman Empire and the adjacent parts of Europe at the time of Lutetia

Please visit the surface features categories page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature to see the themes for other bodies in the solar system.

Sixteen New Names Approved on Dione

Fri, 25 Feb 2011 08:39 MST

New names for 13 craters and 3 fossae have been approved for Dione. For more information, see the Dione page and the map of Dione in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Seven Lacuna Names Approved for Use on Titan

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 07:48 MST

Seven names with the descriptor term lacuna have been approved for use on Titan. For more information, see the list of Titan lacunae and the map of the north polar region of Titan in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Names for Montes and Undae on Titan

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 19:01 MST

The names of six montes (Angmar, Dolmed, Echoriath, Gram, Merlock, and Rerir Montes) and four undae (Boreas, Eurus, Notus, and Zephyrus Undae) have been approved for Titan. For details, see the list of Titan feature names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name Approved for a Planitia on Mars

Wed, 22 September 2010 10:05 MST

The name Eridania Planitia has been approved for the Martian feature located at 38S, 238W. For more information, see the database information and the maps of MC-28 and MC-29 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name Approved for Martian Vallis

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 08:33 MST

The name Havel Vallis has been approved for the Martian vallis located at 1.0N, 302.5E. For more information, see the web page for Havel Vallis and the map of MC-10 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

New Name Approved for Martian Fossae

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:35 MST

The name Sinai Fossae has been approved for the Martian fossae located at 14.0S, 281.0E. For more information, see the gazetteer page for Sinai Fossae and the map of MC-18 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Two Coronae on Venus

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 08:42 MST

The names Elihino Corona and Pakoti Corona have been approved for two coronae located in Venus quadrangle V-45. For more information, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for Three Terrae and Two Regions on Titan

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:26 MST

The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for three terrae (Garotman, Tollan, and Yalaing Terrae) and two regiones (Concordia and Hetpet Regiones) on Titan. For details, see the list of Titan feature names in theGazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Names Approved for 36 Features on Lutetia

Tue, 05 Apr 2011 12:21 MST

Names for 18 craters, 1 dorsum, 2 fossae, 3 labēs, 8 regiones, 2 rimae, and 2 rupēs have been approved on asteroid (21) Lutetia. For more information, see the Lutetia page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Mercury Feature Coordinates Updated to MESSENGER

Mon, 07 Mar 2011 09:43 MST

In late 2010, the coordinates of the named features in the Mercury portion of the nomenclature database were updated from values from historical sources to values in the preliminary MESSENGER control network. The purpose of this work was to facilitate the identification of named features on Mercury. Dots representing the coordinates of the centers of named features will fall in the centers of the features when displayed on any map product that was created using the same control network.

This new set of coordinates was derived using ArcMap version 9.3.1 and the global map of Mercury. Because MESSENGER does not yet have global coverage of Mercury, Mariner 10 data were used to fill in areas where MESSENGER has not yet collected image data. In order for the two data sets to align, the preliminary MESSENGER control network was tied to the Mariner 10 map using several ground truth points.

The Mercury portion of the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature web site now defaults to showing feature coordinates in the frame of the preliminary MESSENGER control network. The original ‘unknown’ source coordinates are still retained in the gazetteer, but this data set is now considered archival and will not be updated with new names or changes to approved names.

Martian Valley System Named Tigre Valles

Tue, 11 Jan 2010 07:56 MST

The name Tigre Valles has been approved for the Martian valley system located at 12S, 37W. For more information, see the database information and the map of MC-19 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Martian Craters Named Noord and Resen

Thu, 20 Jan 2011 06:40 MST

The names Noord and Resen have been approved for two small Martian craters. For more information about these features, or about planetary feature names in general, see the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Martian Crater Named Majuro

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:52 MST

The name Majuro has been approved for the Martian crater located at 33.3S, 84.3E. For more information, see the database information and the map of MC-28 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Martian Crater Named Firsoff

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 09:39 MST

The name Firsoff has been approved for the Martian crater located at 2.6N, 9.4W. For more information, see the database information and the map of MC-11 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Martian Crater Named Dogana

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 09:34 MST

The name Dogana has been approved for the Martian crater located at 10.0S, 306.35E. For more information, see the database information and the map of MC-18 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Martian Crater Named Canala

Tue, 18 Jan 2011 10:18 MST

The name Canala has been approved for the Martian crater located at 24.35N, 80.0W. For more information, see the database information and the map of MC-10 in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Martian Crater Coordinates now in MDIM 2.1

Wed, 17 Nov 2010 10:11 MST

Mars Feature Coordinates Updated to MDIM 2.1

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:37 MST

The Mars portion of the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature now defaults to a new set of coordinates; all of the Martian features now match the Mars Digital Image Mosaic (MDIM) 2.1 control network.

In late 2010, the coordinates of the named craters in the Martian portion of the nomenclature database were updated from values from the MDIM 2.0 control network to values in the MDIM 2.1 control network. In the spring of 2011, the remaining Martian features (i.e., all the named features that are not craters) were also updated to MDIM 2.1. Since the MDIM 2.1 network was tied to local Digital Elevation Models (DEMs) generated from Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) data, this implies the features now match MOLA data products and other products in that reference frame. The GIS download that contains all of the features in the MDIM 2.0 control network is still retained in the gazetteer, but is now considered archival and will not be updated with new names or changes to approved names.

The extents and sizes of the named features were also updated, and vectors describing feature boundaries were drawn; these data are approximate and are intended solely to give the user sufficient information to identify named features and their rough extents.

This work was accomplished using ArcMap version 9.3.1 and theMars Digital Image Mosaic 2.1. Some features are not resolved well in the 2.1 mosaic; for these cases, feature coordinates were derived from the Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) Day IR 100m global mosaic. We would like to thank Stuart Robbins (University of Colorado, Boulder) for sharing a portion of his global crater database, which provided a valuable and time-saving starting point for the crater portion of this work.

Lunar Coordinates Now Available in ULCN

Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:27 MST

In 2010, the coordinates of the named features in the lunar portion of the nomenclature database were updated from values from historical sources to values in the coordinate frame of the Unified Lunar Control Network 2005 (ULCN 2005, see http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1367/). The purpose of this work was to facilitate the identification of named lunar features. Dots representing the coordinates of the centers of named features will fall in the centers of the features when displayed on any map product that was created using the same ULCN 2005 control network.

The extents and sizes of the named features were also updated; these data are approximate and are intended solely to give the user sufficient information to identify named features and their rough extents. A link to a more precise crater database (now in preparation) by Dr. Nadine Barlow will be provided when available.

This new set of coordinates was derived using ArcMap version 9.3.1 and the Lunar Orbiter Digital Photographic Mosaic (http://www.mapaplanet.org/explorer/help/data_set.html#moon_lo). Where data gaps exist in the Lunar Orbiter image, the features were aligned with the USGS airbrushed shaded relief mosaic, which was warped to the same control network as the Lunar Orbiter mosaic (ULCN 2005) (see http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2008/pdf/2245.pdf).

The lunar portion of the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature web site now defaults to showing feature coordinates in the frame of the ULCN 2005 control network. The original ‘unknown’ source coordinates are still retained in the gazetteer, but this data set is now considered archival and will not be updated with new names or changes to approved names.

Longitude Defining Crater on Lutetia Named Lauriacum

Fri, 02 Sept 2011 10:40 MST

The name Lauriacum has been approved for the small crater that defines zero degrees longitude on asteroid (21) Lutetia. For more information, see the Lutetia page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Large Ringed Feature on Titan Named Paxsi

Fri, 15 Oct 2010 08:44 MST

A large ringed feature on Titan located at 5.0N, 341.2W has been named Paxsi. For more information, see the feature page and the image of Titan in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Fourteen More Names Approved for Surface Features on Vesta

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 09:10 MST

The Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved names for seven craters, two fossae, one tholus, one terra, one planitia, and two rupēs on Vesta. For details, see thelist of Vesta feature names and the image of Vesta in theGazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Coordinates for these names are in a system used by the Dawn Team.

Four New Names Approved for use on Mars

Thu, 29 Sept 2011 16:12 MST

The names Corozal, Palikir, Raga, and Tivat have been approved for use on Mars. For more information, see the maps of Mars in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Four New Names Approved for Phobos

Thu, 28 July 2011 09:53 MST

Names for two craters (Öpik and Shklovsky), one planitia (Lagado Planitia), and one regio (Laputa Regio) have been approved for use on Phobos. For more information, see the Phobos page and the map of Phobos in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

First Names for Vesta Approved

10/03/2011

The names of fourteen craters and one tholus have been approved for Vesta. For details, see the list of Vesta feature names in theGazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Coordinates for these names are in a system used by the Dawn Team.