Disharmony of the spheres: Recent trends in planetary surface nomenclature
Inadvisable departures from tradition in naming newly mapped features on Mars, Mercury, and the Moon have been implemented and proposed since 1970. Functional need for place names also has become confused with cartographic convenience. Much of the resulting new nomenclature is neither unique, efficient, nor imaginative. The longstanding classical orientation in Solar System geography needs to be firmly reasserted. The Ma??dler scheme for designating smaller craters on the Moon should be retained and extended to the farside. Names of surface features on other bodies might best reflect the traditional connotations of planet and satellite names: for example, most crates on Mars would be named for mythical heroes and military personalities in ancient history, craters on Mercury might commemorate explorers or commercial luminaries, and features on Venus would bear the names of famous women. ?? 1976.
Citation Information
Publication Year | 1976 |
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Title | Disharmony of the spheres: Recent trends in planetary surface nomenclature |
Authors | R.J. Pike |
Publication Type | Article |
Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
Series Title | Icarus |
Index ID | 70009758 |
Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |