47th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2016) 1141.pdf

PLANETARY : AN OVERVIEW AND UPDATE. R. K. Hayward1, J. Blue1, L. Gaddis1, R. Schulz2, K. Aksnes3, G. Burba4, G. Consolmagno5, R. M. C. Lopes6, P. Masson7, W. Sheehan8, B.A. Smith9, G. Williams10, C. Wood11, 1USGS Astrogeology Science Center, Flagstaff, Ari- zona ([email protected]); 2ESA Scientific Support Office, Noordwijk, The Netherlands; 3Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics, Oslo, Norway; 4Vernadsky Institute, Moscow, Russia; 5Specola Vaticana, Vat- ican City State; 6Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California; 7Universite de Paris-Sud, Orsay, France; 8Lowell Observatory, Flagstaff, Arizona; 9Santa Fe, New Mexi- co; 10Minor Center, Cambridge, Massachusetts; 11Planetary Science Institute, Tucson, Arizona.

Introduction: The task of naming planetary Eros 41 surface features, rings, and natural satellites is Gaspra 34 managed by the International Astronomical Un- Ida 25 ion’s (IAU) Working Group for Planetary System Itokawa 17 Nomenclature (WGPSN). WGPSN members in- Lutetia 37 clude Rita Schulz (chair) and 9 other members Mathilde 23 representing countries around the globe (see au- Steins 24 list). In 2013, Blue et al. [1] presented an Vesta 106 overview of planetary nomenclature. Given the extensive planetary exploration and research that 4 has taken place since 2013, it is timely to update 1 the community on the status of planetary nomen- 224 clature, the purpose and rules, the process for 111 submitting name requests, and the IAU approval 194 process. 153 Status: There are currently 15,201 surface feature names in use (not including names that 2 have been dropped but retained in the database 4 for reference). Table 1 shows the breakdown of 42 the number of adopted surface feature names for 85 each body. A table showing the named rings and 53 ring gaps can be seen at the following URL: 93 http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Rings. 143 Planet and satellite names are listed here: 194 http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Planets. 5 70 Table 1. Named Surface Features 25 System/Body Number of named surface features currently in use 3 473 18 1,973 26 Earth 13 9,011 (1,954 proper names and 18 7,057 lettered craters) 10 1,798 2 1 20 61 0* 81 0* Dactyl 2 * No official names have been requested. 47th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (2016) 1141.pdf

Purpose and Rules: Planetary nomenclature Before submitting a name request, the online is a tool used to uniquely identify features on the database and maps showing named features surfaces of or satellites so they can be (http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Images) located, described, and discussed. Approved should be consulted to confirm that the feature is names are listed in the Transactions of the IAU not already named. If a specific name is included [2] and on the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomencla- in the request, the database should also be ture web site [3]. Any names currently in use that checked to ensure the name has not already been are not listed in References 2 and 3 are not offi- approved for a different feature. cial. Name Approval Process: Name requests are Planetary names must adhere to rules and con- first reviewed by one of six task groups (Mercury, ventions established by the IAU WGPSN (see Venus, Moon, Mars, Outer , and http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Rules for Small Bodies). After a task group has successful- the complete list): ly reviewed a proposal, it is submitted to the  Planetary names should be simple, clear WGPSN. Allow four to six weeks for the review and unambiguous. and approval process, but more time may be nec-  Features should be named only when they essary if the proposal is complicated or if ques- are scientifically significant and when the tions are raised during the review process. Name naming is useful to the scientific and car- requests should be submitted well in advance of tographic communities at large. publication deadlines. Upon WGPSN approval,  Name duplication on two or more bodies names are considered formally approved and it is is discouraged, as is the use of the same then appropriate to use them in publications. Ap- name for satellites and minor planets. proved names are immediately entered into the  Solar system nomenclature should be in- database and shown on the web site. ternational in its choice of names. Summary: The members of the WGPSN and  Names having political, military, or reli- its task groups have worked since the early 1970s gious significance are not allowed. to provide a clear system of planetary nomencla-  Commemoration is not a goal in itself, ture that represents cultures and countries from but may be employed in special circum- all regions of Earth. This activity supports ongo- stances and is reserved for persons of ing planetary research, and the participation of high and enduring international standing. knowledgeable scientists and experts in this pro- Persons being so honored must have been cess is vital to its success. Questions about the deceased for at least three years. nomenclature database and the naming process Submitting a Name Request: The gazetteer can be sent to Rosalyn Hayward, USGS Astroge- includes an online Name Request Form ology Science Center, 2255 N. Gemini Dr., Flag- (http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/FeatureName staff, AZ 86001, or by email to Request) that can be used by members of the pro- [email protected]. fessional science community. A specific name Acknowledgments: Funding for R. Hayward may be suggested for a feature, but the name is has been provided by NASA’s Planetary subject to IAU review and there is no guarantee it and Geophysics Cartography Program. will be approved. A published reference is re- References: [1] Blue, J. et al. (2013) LPSC quired for each name (reliable web sites and XXXXV, Abstract #2178. [2] “Publications.” scanned online books are permitted). Suggested International Astronomical Union. December 17, names must also fit the approved theme for each 2015. feature type on each body (see http://www.iau.org/science/publications/iau/trans http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Categori actions_b/. [3] Working Group for Planetary Sys- es). Requests to name a crater specifically to tem Nomenclature. Gazetteer of Planetary No- honor an individual rather than for scientific menclature. International Astronomical Union. needs are not accepted. Dec. 17, 2015. http://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/.