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Topographic nomenclature on planetary bodies
CARUS 29, 155--157 (1976)
Topographic Nomenclature on Planetary Bodies P E T E R M. MILLMAN National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Canada R e c e i v e d F e b r u a r y 27, 1976; r e v i s e d M a r c h 6, 1976 G e n e r a l g u i d l i n e s a r e p r e s e n t e d for International Astronomical Union decisions on nomenclature for surface features on the planets a n d their satellites.
r a p i d action. F o r e x a m p l e , various g o v e r n m e n t T h i s n o t e is w r i t t e n t o i n f o r m p l a n e t a r y agencies i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s are n o w i n v o l v e d i n s c i e n t i s t s of t h e s y s t e m set u p b y t h e I n t e r t h e p r o d u c t i o n o f n e w m a p series for t h e Moon, n a t i o n a l A s t r o n o m i c a l U n i o n ( I A U ) in 1973 t o deal w i t h t h e c u r r e n t r e q u i r e m e n t s for n o m e n Mars, a n d M e r c u r y , a n d i t is n e c e s s a r y t o p r o v i d e n o m e n c l a t u r e d a t a o n a fairly s h o r t t i m e scale so c l a t u r e o n t h e surfaces of t h e p l a n e t s a n d t h e i r that printing schedules can be met. satellites, a n d t o s u r v e y t h e t y p e s o f p r o b l e m s we To p r o v i d e a m o r e c o m p r e h e n s i v e s y s t e m for h a v e h a d t o c o n t e n d w i t h . A s P r e s i d e n t of t h e dealing with planetary nomenclature, the IAU in I A U W o r k i n g G r o u p for P l a n e t a r y S y s t e m Nomenclature (WGPSN), I am not personally S y d n e y e s t a b l i s h e d five n o m e n c l a t u r e T a s k committed to any one viewpoint, but I am very Groups, w i t h r e s p o n s i b i l i t y for d e v e l o p i n g t h e a n x i o u s t o see a c t i o n t a k e n t o p r o v i d e a useful r e q u i r e d n o m e n c l a t u r e for t h e surface f e a t u r e s n o m e n c l a t u r e t h a t is i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y a p p r o v e d of t h e Moon, M e r c u r y , V e n u s , Mars, a n d t h e a n d t h a t satisfies t h e m a j o r i t y of t h o s e w h o h a v e o u t e r solar s y s t e m . T h e s e five T a s k G r o u p s report, through their chairmen, to the WGPSN, n e e d t o refer t o p l a n e t a r y detail. B e f o r e t h e d a y s of i n t e r p l a n e t a r y s p a c e c r a f t w h i c h in t u r n r e p o r t s d i r e c t l y t o t h e E x e c u t i v e the problems of extraterrestrial topographic C o m m i t t e e of t h e I A U ( P e t t e n g i l l , 1974). S u c h n o m e n c l a t u r e were c o n f i n e d p r i m a r i l y t o t h e an organization enables action on nomenclature t o b e t a k e n in b e t w e e n G e n e r a l Assemblies, large a m o u n t of d e t a i l c h a r t e d o n t h e n e a r side of the Moon and to the albedo features on Mars leaving only the formal ratification to be t h a t h a d b e e n i d e n t i f i e d w i t h E a r t h - b a s e d teleeffected a t t h e n e x t following G e n e r a l A s s e m b l y scopes. P r i o r t o 1973 a W o r k i n g G r o u p for L u n a r of t h e I A U . Nomenclature reported to the IAU through T h e following t e r m s are c o n v e n i e n t for C o m m i s s i o n 17, a n d a W o r k i n g G r o u p o n i n d i c a t i n g t h e f o u r levels o f a c t i o n w i t h t h e M a r t i a n N o m e n c l a t u r e o p e r a t e d w i t h i n Commissequence outlined above: sion 16. T h e s e groups, a m o n g o t h e r activities, Recommendations that have passed a Task e s t a b l i s h e d successfully o v e r 500 n e w n a m e s for G r o u p a r e proposed names w h i c h c a n t h e n b e f e a t u r e s o n t h e far side o f t h e M o o n (Menzel certified b y t h e W o r k i n g G r o u p a n d , w h e n p a s s e d et al., 1971 ), a n d n a m e d some 180 large c r a t e r s o n b y t h e E x e c u t i v e C o m m i t t e e b e c o m e provisional Mars, P h o b o s , a n d Deimos, as p h o t o g r a p h e d b y names. F o r m a l a p p r o v a l is g i v e n b y t h e G e n e r a l M a r i n e r s p a c e c r a f t (de V a u c o u l e u r s et al., 1975). A s s e m b l y a n d t h e n a m e s are t h e n approved by B y t h e t i m e of t h e S y d n e y I A U G e n e r a l A s s e m I A U. b l y in 1973 i t h a d b e c o m e e v i d e n t t h a t topoThe Task Groups and the Working Group graphic nomenclature would be required within deal w i t h all e x t r a t e r r e s t r i a l t o p o g r a p h i c n o m e n t h e n e x t few d e c a d e s for a c o n s i d e r a b l e n u m b e r c l a t u r e o n t h e solid surfaces o f bodies i n t h e solar o f p l a n e t a r y b o d i e s i n t h e solar s y s t e m . I t is s y s t e m a n d also, w h e n n e e d e d , w i t h t h e n a m i n g o b v i o u s t h a t t h e n o m e n c l a t u r e e s t a b l i s h e d for of u n n a m e d n a t u r a l satellites. T h e y are n o t t h e v a r i o u s p l a n e t s a n d satellites s h o u l d b e c o n c e r n e d w i t h t h e n a m i n g of asteroids, c o m e t s , c o o r d i n a t e d in some way. I t is also d e s i r a b l e t o a n d m e t e o r s t r e a m s , as w e l l - e s t a b l i s h e d s y s t e m s h a v e e a r l y decisions o n t h e n o m e n c l a t u r e o f a o f n o m e n c l a t u r e a l r e a d y e x i s t i n t h e s e eases. newly investigated body, and this may require Members of nomenclature groups today must Copyright © 1976 by Academic Press, Inc. 155 All rights of reproduction in any form reserved. Printed in Great Britain
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work with a much broader philosophy than they w o r k e d w i t h i n t h e p a s t . B e f o r e t h e e n d of t h e 2 0 t h c e n t u r y u p t o 40 p l a n e t a r y b o d i e s in t h e solar s y s t e m a l o n e m a y r e q u i r e t o p o g r a p h i c n o m e n c l a t u r e . Disciplines o t h e r t h a n a s t r o n o m y are n o w d i r e c t l y i n v o l v e d - - f o r e x a m p l e , geology, geophysics, a n d e n g i n e e r i n g , to m e n t i o n o n l y t h r e e of t h e m o r e obvious. T h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s has an active body, the "Group of Experts on Geographical Names," which coordinates and a p p r o v e s , o n a n i n t e r n a t i o n a l basis, t h e n a m e s for t e r r e s t r i a l t o p o g r a p h i c features. T h i s G r o u p of E x p v r t s h a s set u p a W o r k i n g G r o u p o n t h e N a m e s of E x t r a t e r r e s t r i a l T o p o g r a p h i c F e a t u r e s . T h e I A U / W G P S N h a s e s t a b l i s h e d lines of communication with this UN Working Group a n d w i t h t h e U N G r o u p of E x p e r t s . I n t h i s w a y we c a n assess t h e r e a c t i o n of t h e n o n s c i e n t i s t t o n o m e n c l a t u r e policy o v e r a b r o a d intern a t i o n a l s p e c t r u m , since t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s includes a l m o s t t h r e e t i m e s t h e n u m b e r of n u t i o n s r e p r e s e n t e d in t h e I A U . U n i t e d N a t i o n s ' d e l e g a t e s f r o m c o u n t r i e s t h a t do n o t a d h e r e t o t h e I A U c a n assist us g r e a t l y b y p r o v i d i n g for f u t u r e use lists o f s u i t a b l e n a m e s for p l a n e t a r y bodies. I t is e v i d e n t t h a t people o f t e n b e c o m e emot i o n a l l y i n v o l v e d in n o m e n c l a t u r e decisions. W i t h a large n u m b e r of i n d i v i d u a l s f r o m v a r i o u s disciplines a c t i v e l y e n g a g e d i n t h i s field, i t is clear t h a t n o one p e r s o n c a n h o p e t o see all his s u g g e s t i o n s a d o p t e d . C o m p r o m i s e will i n e v i t a b l y b e n e c e s s a r y in m o s t cases. I t is e a s y t o find t h o s e w h o are r e a d y to criticize w h a t h a s a l r e a d y b e e n d o n e ; i t is m u c h m o r e difficult to find t h o s e w h o are p r e p a r e d t o d e v o t e m a n y m a n - h o u r s to w o r k i n g o b j e c t i v e l y o n t h e s o l u t i o n of a nomenclature problem. A t its first m e e t i n g , h e l d in O t t a w a , O n t a r i o , o n J u n e 27-28, 1974, t h e I A U / W G P S N l i s t e d t h e following s e v e n basic p r i n c i p l e s for p l a n e t a r y s y s t e m n o m e n c l a t u r e , a n d t h e s e were l a t e r a p p r o v e d b y t h e E x e c u t i v e C o m m i t t e e of t h e IAU. 1. N o m e n c l a t u r e is a tool a n d t h e first c o n s i d e r a t i o n shall b e t o m a k e i t simple, clear, and unambigious. 2. T h e n u m b e r of n a m e s c h o s e n for e a c h b o d y s h o u l d b e k e p t to a m i n i m u m , a n d g o v e r n e d b y t h e a n t i c i p a t e d r e q u i r e m e n t s o f t h e scientific community. 3. A l t h o u g h t h e r e will b e e x c e p t i o n s , duplic a t i o n of t h e s a m e n a m e o n t w o or m o r e bodies should be avoided. 4. I n general, i n d i v i d u a l n a m e s c h o s e n s h o u l d b e single words, a n d e x p r e s s e d i n t h e l a n g u a g e of origin. T r a n s l i t e r a t i o n a n d p r o n u n c i a t i o n for v a r i o u s a l p h a b e t s s h o u l d b e given, b u t t h e r e
will b e n o t r a n s l a t i o n f r o m one l a n g u a g e t o another. 5. W h e r e possible, c o n s i d e r a t i o n s h o u l d also b e g i v e n t o t h e t r a d i t i o n a l a s p e c t s of a n y n o m e n c l a t u r e s y s t e m , p r o v i d e d t h a t t h i s does n o t cause confusion. 6. Solar s y s t e m n o m e n c l a t u r e shall b e i n t e r n a t i o n a l i n its choice of n a m e s . R e c o m m e n d a tions submitted by IAU National Committees will b e considered. F i n a l a p p r o v a l of a n y selection is t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Astronomical Union 7. W e m u s t look t o t h e f u t u r e in g e n e r a l discussions of solar s y s t e m n o m e n c l a t u r e a n d a t t e m p t to lay t h e g r o u n d w o r k for f u t u r e r e q u i r e m e n t s t h a t will r e s u l t f r o m t h e developm e n t of t h e space p r o g r a m . One of t h e o f t - r e c u r r i n g discussions in t h e field of n o m e n c l a t u r e is w h e t h e r t o use l e t t e r s a n d n u m b e r s for reference to a g i v e n f e a t u r e or t o assign a n a m e . F o r a c c u r a t e reference t o a specific p o i n t we c a n a l w a y s use a n e s t a b l i s h e d coo r d i n a t e s y s t e m s u c h as l a t i t u t e a n d l o n g i t u d e . B u t w h e r e a f e a t u r e is, or m a y be, f r e q u e n t l y r e f e r r e d to, t h e m a j o r i t y o p i n i o n s e e m s t o f a v o r a d i s t i n c t i v e n a m e . O n E a r t h we t r a v e l o n l a n d f r o m place t o place b y n a m e r a t h e r t h a n b y number. During World War II, I served 6 years in t h e R o y a l C a n a d i a n A i r F o r c e as n a v i g a t o r , navigation instructor, and operational research officer. W e lived w i t h m a p s , d a y a n d n i g h t , a n d o f t e n o u r lives d e p e n d e d o n t h e m . M a p s n e e d e d o n a mission were selected b y s h e e t n a m e , e v e n t h o u g h t h e y all were n u m b e r e d as well. M y p r a c t i c a l e x p e r i e n c e w o u l d i n d i c a t e t h a t it is wise t o h a v e a d i s t i n c t i v e n a m e for e a c h s h e e t in a g i v e n m a p series. F o r largo-scale m a p series, h o w e v e r , i t is n o t a l w a y s n e c e s s a r y to assign s h e e t n a m e s u n t i l t h e r e is some p r o s p e c t of t h e sheets in question being printed. I n special cases it m a y b e a d v i s a b l e t o h a v e a d o u b l e s y s t e m of n a m e s for t h e s h e e t s in a smallscale series. T h i s h a s a l r e a d y h a p p e n e d in t h e cases of Mars a n d M e r c u r y w h e r e t h e a l b e d o features mapped from Earth-based observations h a v e r e t a i n e d t h e i r classical n a m e s , while t h e largely i n d e p e n d e n t c r a t e r s a n d scarps p h o t o g r a p h e d f r o m M a r i n e r s p a c e c r a f t are g i v e n n a m e s f r o m a different category. A n o t h e r a r e a of discussion is w h e t h e r t o n a m e f e a t u r e s a f t e r people, l i v i n g t h i n g s , i n a n i m a t e objects, or e v e n a b s t r a c t n o u n s . U p to n o w t h e r e h a s b e e n a p r e f e r e n c e for n a m i n g d i s t i n c t i v e surface m a r k i n g s , s u c h as craters, o n t h e terrestrial planets and the Moon after men and w o m e n of n o t e . E x c e p t for a v e r y few special exceptions the individuals commemorated must b e deceased. I t h a s also b e e n a g r e e d t o p r o h i b i t
NOTES the assignment of the names of individuals "known primarily as religious leaders, or as military leaders, political leaders, and philosophers, of the 19th and 20th centuries." F o r very-large-scale maps of unique and specific areas, such as landing sites on the Moon or Mars, names can be chosen without restricting their possible use on other map sheets. Examples of name banks of this type, already chosen on an international basis, are the first names of men and women for use on the Moon, and the names of small terrestrial villages for use on Mars. I t m a y be objected that, in choosing names, the popular emphasis of today will be reflected in the nomenclature selected for any given planet or satellite. This is very true and is unavoidable. However, strict adherence to Basic Principle No. 2 will leave plenty of room for future additions; and it is quite appropriate to have a flavor of the early decades of the space age retained in our planetary nomenclature. There has been a desire, particularly among the nonscientists in the United Nations' groups, to lay out a very detailed plan of nomenclature at the present time for the entire solar system. Since, for example, we do not know in advance the types of surface features that m a y be discovered on the satellites of J u p i t e r and Saturn, it would be unwise to formulate detailed rules too hastily. The I A U / W G P S N will a t t e m p t to foresee the future needs for nomenclature as the program of interplanetary flights develops. Banks of names will be prepared in advance so t h a t suitable nomenclature of a general basic system m a y be given to the cartographers without delay. We have already suggested a uniform set of descriptive Latin terms for types of topographic features. F o r any given planetary body, selections m a y be made from this set, to use with the assigned nomenclature. New Latin terms can be added as required. In conclusion, I wish to emphasize that it is important for our nomenclature groups to receive suggestions and opinions from a wide range of individuals and nations. I n particular we should like to hear the views of those who will be using planetary nomenclature in their scientific publications. APPENDIX
Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature. P. M. Millman, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (President); B. Ju. Levin, Moscow, U.S.S.R.; C. H. Mayer, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.; D. D. Morrison, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.A.; T. C. Owen, Stony Brook, N.Y., U.S.A. ; G. H.
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Pettengill, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A.; S. K. Runcorn, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, U . K . ; B. A. Smith, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A. Task Group for Lunar Nomenclature. P. M. Millman, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Acting Chairman) ; A. Dollfus, Paris, France ; F. E1-Baz, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.; K. P. Florenskij, Moscow, U.S.S.R.; H. Masursky, Flagstaff, Arizona, U.S.A.; D. H. Menzel, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A.; S. K. Runcorn, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, U . K . ; V. V. Shevchenko, Moscow, U.S.S.R. Task Group for Mercury Nomenclature. D. I). Morrison, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.A. (Chairman) ; M. E. Davies, Santa Moniea, California, U.S.A. ; A. I)ollfus, Paris, France; O. J. Gingerieh, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A. ; R. M. Goldstein, Pasadena, California, U.S.A. ; J. E. Guest, London, U.K. ; Yu. N. Lipskij, Moscow, U.S.S.R. ; B. A. Smith, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A. Task Group for Venus Nomenclature. G. H. Pettengill, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A. (Chairman); R. M. Goldstein, Pasadena, California, U.S.A. ; M. Ya. Marov, Moscow, U.S.S.R. ; H. Masursky, Flagstaff, Arizona, U.S.A. Task Group .for Mars Nomenclature. B. A. Smith, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A. (Chairman); A. Dollfus, Paris, France; M. Ya. Marov, Moscow, U.S.S.R.; H. Masursky, Flagstaff, Arizona, U.S.A.; S. Miyamoto, Kyoto, J a p a n ; A. V. Morozhenko, Kiev, Ukraine, U.S.S.R. ; C. Sagan, Ithaca, New York, U.S.A. Task Group .for Outer Solar System Nomenclature. T. C. Owen, Stony Brook, N.Y., U.S.A. (Chairman); K. Aksnes, Cambridge, Massechusetts, U.S.A.; M. S. Bobrov, Moscow, U.S.S.R.; M. E. Davies, Santa Monica, California, U.S.A.; I). Gautier, Paris, France; B. A. Smith, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A. ; V. G. Tejfel', Alma-Ata, Kazakh S.S.R., U.S.S.R.
REFERENCES DE VAUCOULEURS, G., BLUNCK, J., DAVIES, M., DOLLFUS, A., KOVAL, I. K., KUIPER, G. P., MASURSKY, H., MIYAMOTO, S., MOROZ, V. I., SAG)N, C., AND SMITH, B. (1975). The new Martian nomenclature of the International Astronomical Union. Icarus 26, 85-98. M~.NZEL, D. H., MINNAERT, M., LEVIN, B., DOLLFUS, A., AND BELL, B. (1971). Report on lunar nomenclature by the Working Group of Commission 17 of the I.A.U. Space Sci. Rev. 12, 136-186 PETTENGILL, G. H. (1974). Commission 16: Physical study of planets and satellites. Trans. Int. Astron. Union B 15, 105-108.
Topographic Nomenclature on Planetary Bodies P E T E R M. MILLMAN National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Canada R e c e i v e d F e b r u a r y 27, 1976; r e v i s e d M a r c h 6, 1976 G e n e r a l g u i d l i n e s a r e p r e s e n t e d for International Astronomical Union decisions on nomenclature for surface features on the planets a n d their satellites.
r a p i d action. F o r e x a m p l e , various g o v e r n m e n t T h i s n o t e is w r i t t e n t o i n f o r m p l a n e t a r y agencies i n t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s are n o w i n v o l v e d i n s c i e n t i s t s of t h e s y s t e m set u p b y t h e I n t e r t h e p r o d u c t i o n o f n e w m a p series for t h e Moon, n a t i o n a l A s t r o n o m i c a l U n i o n ( I A U ) in 1973 t o deal w i t h t h e c u r r e n t r e q u i r e m e n t s for n o m e n Mars, a n d M e r c u r y , a n d i t is n e c e s s a r y t o p r o v i d e n o m e n c l a t u r e d a t a o n a fairly s h o r t t i m e scale so c l a t u r e o n t h e surfaces of t h e p l a n e t s a n d t h e i r that printing schedules can be met. satellites, a n d t o s u r v e y t h e t y p e s o f p r o b l e m s we To p r o v i d e a m o r e c o m p r e h e n s i v e s y s t e m for h a v e h a d t o c o n t e n d w i t h . A s P r e s i d e n t of t h e dealing with planetary nomenclature, the IAU in I A U W o r k i n g G r o u p for P l a n e t a r y S y s t e m Nomenclature (WGPSN), I am not personally S y d n e y e s t a b l i s h e d five n o m e n c l a t u r e T a s k committed to any one viewpoint, but I am very Groups, w i t h r e s p o n s i b i l i t y for d e v e l o p i n g t h e a n x i o u s t o see a c t i o n t a k e n t o p r o v i d e a useful r e q u i r e d n o m e n c l a t u r e for t h e surface f e a t u r e s n o m e n c l a t u r e t h a t is i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y a p p r o v e d of t h e Moon, M e r c u r y , V e n u s , Mars, a n d t h e a n d t h a t satisfies t h e m a j o r i t y of t h o s e w h o h a v e o u t e r solar s y s t e m . T h e s e five T a s k G r o u p s report, through their chairmen, to the WGPSN, n e e d t o refer t o p l a n e t a r y detail. B e f o r e t h e d a y s of i n t e r p l a n e t a r y s p a c e c r a f t w h i c h in t u r n r e p o r t s d i r e c t l y t o t h e E x e c u t i v e the problems of extraterrestrial topographic C o m m i t t e e of t h e I A U ( P e t t e n g i l l , 1974). S u c h n o m e n c l a t u r e were c o n f i n e d p r i m a r i l y t o t h e an organization enables action on nomenclature t o b e t a k e n in b e t w e e n G e n e r a l Assemblies, large a m o u n t of d e t a i l c h a r t e d o n t h e n e a r side of the Moon and to the albedo features on Mars leaving only the formal ratification to be t h a t h a d b e e n i d e n t i f i e d w i t h E a r t h - b a s e d teleeffected a t t h e n e x t following G e n e r a l A s s e m b l y scopes. P r i o r t o 1973 a W o r k i n g G r o u p for L u n a r of t h e I A U . Nomenclature reported to the IAU through T h e following t e r m s are c o n v e n i e n t for C o m m i s s i o n 17, a n d a W o r k i n g G r o u p o n i n d i c a t i n g t h e f o u r levels o f a c t i o n w i t h t h e M a r t i a n N o m e n c l a t u r e o p e r a t e d w i t h i n Commissequence outlined above: sion 16. T h e s e groups, a m o n g o t h e r activities, Recommendations that have passed a Task e s t a b l i s h e d successfully o v e r 500 n e w n a m e s for G r o u p a r e proposed names w h i c h c a n t h e n b e f e a t u r e s o n t h e far side o f t h e M o o n (Menzel certified b y t h e W o r k i n g G r o u p a n d , w h e n p a s s e d et al., 1971 ), a n d n a m e d some 180 large c r a t e r s o n b y t h e E x e c u t i v e C o m m i t t e e b e c o m e provisional Mars, P h o b o s , a n d Deimos, as p h o t o g r a p h e d b y names. F o r m a l a p p r o v a l is g i v e n b y t h e G e n e r a l M a r i n e r s p a c e c r a f t (de V a u c o u l e u r s et al., 1975). A s s e m b l y a n d t h e n a m e s are t h e n approved by B y t h e t i m e of t h e S y d n e y I A U G e n e r a l A s s e m I A U. b l y in 1973 i t h a d b e c o m e e v i d e n t t h a t topoThe Task Groups and the Working Group graphic nomenclature would be required within deal w i t h all e x t r a t e r r e s t r i a l t o p o g r a p h i c n o m e n t h e n e x t few d e c a d e s for a c o n s i d e r a b l e n u m b e r c l a t u r e o n t h e solid surfaces o f bodies i n t h e solar o f p l a n e t a r y b o d i e s i n t h e solar s y s t e m . I t is s y s t e m a n d also, w h e n n e e d e d , w i t h t h e n a m i n g o b v i o u s t h a t t h e n o m e n c l a t u r e e s t a b l i s h e d for of u n n a m e d n a t u r a l satellites. T h e y are n o t t h e v a r i o u s p l a n e t s a n d satellites s h o u l d b e c o n c e r n e d w i t h t h e n a m i n g of asteroids, c o m e t s , c o o r d i n a t e d in some way. I t is also d e s i r a b l e t o a n d m e t e o r s t r e a m s , as w e l l - e s t a b l i s h e d s y s t e m s h a v e e a r l y decisions o n t h e n o m e n c l a t u r e o f a o f n o m e n c l a t u r e a l r e a d y e x i s t i n t h e s e eases. newly investigated body, and this may require Members of nomenclature groups today must Copyright © 1976 by Academic Press, Inc. 155 All rights of reproduction in any form reserved. Printed in Great Britain
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work with a much broader philosophy than they w o r k e d w i t h i n t h e p a s t . B e f o r e t h e e n d of t h e 2 0 t h c e n t u r y u p t o 40 p l a n e t a r y b o d i e s in t h e solar s y s t e m a l o n e m a y r e q u i r e t o p o g r a p h i c n o m e n c l a t u r e . Disciplines o t h e r t h a n a s t r o n o m y are n o w d i r e c t l y i n v o l v e d - - f o r e x a m p l e , geology, geophysics, a n d e n g i n e e r i n g , to m e n t i o n o n l y t h r e e of t h e m o r e obvious. T h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s has an active body, the "Group of Experts on Geographical Names," which coordinates and a p p r o v e s , o n a n i n t e r n a t i o n a l basis, t h e n a m e s for t e r r e s t r i a l t o p o g r a p h i c features. T h i s G r o u p of E x p v r t s h a s set u p a W o r k i n g G r o u p o n t h e N a m e s of E x t r a t e r r e s t r i a l T o p o g r a p h i c F e a t u r e s . T h e I A U / W G P S N h a s e s t a b l i s h e d lines of communication with this UN Working Group a n d w i t h t h e U N G r o u p of E x p e r t s . I n t h i s w a y we c a n assess t h e r e a c t i o n of t h e n o n s c i e n t i s t t o n o m e n c l a t u r e policy o v e r a b r o a d intern a t i o n a l s p e c t r u m , since t h e U n i t e d N a t i o n s includes a l m o s t t h r e e t i m e s t h e n u m b e r of n u t i o n s r e p r e s e n t e d in t h e I A U . U n i t e d N a t i o n s ' d e l e g a t e s f r o m c o u n t r i e s t h a t do n o t a d h e r e t o t h e I A U c a n assist us g r e a t l y b y p r o v i d i n g for f u t u r e use lists o f s u i t a b l e n a m e s for p l a n e t a r y bodies. I t is e v i d e n t t h a t people o f t e n b e c o m e emot i o n a l l y i n v o l v e d in n o m e n c l a t u r e decisions. W i t h a large n u m b e r of i n d i v i d u a l s f r o m v a r i o u s disciplines a c t i v e l y e n g a g e d i n t h i s field, i t is clear t h a t n o one p e r s o n c a n h o p e t o see all his s u g g e s t i o n s a d o p t e d . C o m p r o m i s e will i n e v i t a b l y b e n e c e s s a r y in m o s t cases. I t is e a s y t o find t h o s e w h o are r e a d y to criticize w h a t h a s a l r e a d y b e e n d o n e ; i t is m u c h m o r e difficult to find t h o s e w h o are p r e p a r e d t o d e v o t e m a n y m a n - h o u r s to w o r k i n g o b j e c t i v e l y o n t h e s o l u t i o n of a nomenclature problem. A t its first m e e t i n g , h e l d in O t t a w a , O n t a r i o , o n J u n e 27-28, 1974, t h e I A U / W G P S N l i s t e d t h e following s e v e n basic p r i n c i p l e s for p l a n e t a r y s y s t e m n o m e n c l a t u r e , a n d t h e s e were l a t e r a p p r o v e d b y t h e E x e c u t i v e C o m m i t t e e of t h e IAU. 1. N o m e n c l a t u r e is a tool a n d t h e first c o n s i d e r a t i o n shall b e t o m a k e i t simple, clear, and unambigious. 2. T h e n u m b e r of n a m e s c h o s e n for e a c h b o d y s h o u l d b e k e p t to a m i n i m u m , a n d g o v e r n e d b y t h e a n t i c i p a t e d r e q u i r e m e n t s o f t h e scientific community. 3. A l t h o u g h t h e r e will b e e x c e p t i o n s , duplic a t i o n of t h e s a m e n a m e o n t w o or m o r e bodies should be avoided. 4. I n general, i n d i v i d u a l n a m e s c h o s e n s h o u l d b e single words, a n d e x p r e s s e d i n t h e l a n g u a g e of origin. T r a n s l i t e r a t i o n a n d p r o n u n c i a t i o n for v a r i o u s a l p h a b e t s s h o u l d b e given, b u t t h e r e
will b e n o t r a n s l a t i o n f r o m one l a n g u a g e t o another. 5. W h e r e possible, c o n s i d e r a t i o n s h o u l d also b e g i v e n t o t h e t r a d i t i o n a l a s p e c t s of a n y n o m e n c l a t u r e s y s t e m , p r o v i d e d t h a t t h i s does n o t cause confusion. 6. Solar s y s t e m n o m e n c l a t u r e shall b e i n t e r n a t i o n a l i n its choice of n a m e s . R e c o m m e n d a tions submitted by IAU National Committees will b e considered. F i n a l a p p r o v a l of a n y selection is t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y of t h e I n t e r n a t i o n a l Astronomical Union 7. W e m u s t look t o t h e f u t u r e in g e n e r a l discussions of solar s y s t e m n o m e n c l a t u r e a n d a t t e m p t to lay t h e g r o u n d w o r k for f u t u r e r e q u i r e m e n t s t h a t will r e s u l t f r o m t h e developm e n t of t h e space p r o g r a m . One of t h e o f t - r e c u r r i n g discussions in t h e field of n o m e n c l a t u r e is w h e t h e r t o use l e t t e r s a n d n u m b e r s for reference to a g i v e n f e a t u r e or t o assign a n a m e . F o r a c c u r a t e reference t o a specific p o i n t we c a n a l w a y s use a n e s t a b l i s h e d coo r d i n a t e s y s t e m s u c h as l a t i t u t e a n d l o n g i t u d e . B u t w h e r e a f e a t u r e is, or m a y be, f r e q u e n t l y r e f e r r e d to, t h e m a j o r i t y o p i n i o n s e e m s t o f a v o r a d i s t i n c t i v e n a m e . O n E a r t h we t r a v e l o n l a n d f r o m place t o place b y n a m e r a t h e r t h a n b y number. During World War II, I served 6 years in t h e R o y a l C a n a d i a n A i r F o r c e as n a v i g a t o r , navigation instructor, and operational research officer. W e lived w i t h m a p s , d a y a n d n i g h t , a n d o f t e n o u r lives d e p e n d e d o n t h e m . M a p s n e e d e d o n a mission were selected b y s h e e t n a m e , e v e n t h o u g h t h e y all were n u m b e r e d as well. M y p r a c t i c a l e x p e r i e n c e w o u l d i n d i c a t e t h a t it is wise t o h a v e a d i s t i n c t i v e n a m e for e a c h s h e e t in a g i v e n m a p series. F o r largo-scale m a p series, h o w e v e r , i t is n o t a l w a y s n e c e s s a r y to assign s h e e t n a m e s u n t i l t h e r e is some p r o s p e c t of t h e sheets in question being printed. I n special cases it m a y b e a d v i s a b l e t o h a v e a d o u b l e s y s t e m of n a m e s for t h e s h e e t s in a smallscale series. T h i s h a s a l r e a d y h a p p e n e d in t h e cases of Mars a n d M e r c u r y w h e r e t h e a l b e d o features mapped from Earth-based observations h a v e r e t a i n e d t h e i r classical n a m e s , while t h e largely i n d e p e n d e n t c r a t e r s a n d scarps p h o t o g r a p h e d f r o m M a r i n e r s p a c e c r a f t are g i v e n n a m e s f r o m a different category. A n o t h e r a r e a of discussion is w h e t h e r t o n a m e f e a t u r e s a f t e r people, l i v i n g t h i n g s , i n a n i m a t e objects, or e v e n a b s t r a c t n o u n s . U p to n o w t h e r e h a s b e e n a p r e f e r e n c e for n a m i n g d i s t i n c t i v e surface m a r k i n g s , s u c h as craters, o n t h e terrestrial planets and the Moon after men and w o m e n of n o t e . E x c e p t for a v e r y few special exceptions the individuals commemorated must b e deceased. I t h a s also b e e n a g r e e d t o p r o h i b i t
NOTES the assignment of the names of individuals "known primarily as religious leaders, or as military leaders, political leaders, and philosophers, of the 19th and 20th centuries." F o r very-large-scale maps of unique and specific areas, such as landing sites on the Moon or Mars, names can be chosen without restricting their possible use on other map sheets. Examples of name banks of this type, already chosen on an international basis, are the first names of men and women for use on the Moon, and the names of small terrestrial villages for use on Mars. I t m a y be objected that, in choosing names, the popular emphasis of today will be reflected in the nomenclature selected for any given planet or satellite. This is very true and is unavoidable. However, strict adherence to Basic Principle No. 2 will leave plenty of room for future additions; and it is quite appropriate to have a flavor of the early decades of the space age retained in our planetary nomenclature. There has been a desire, particularly among the nonscientists in the United Nations' groups, to lay out a very detailed plan of nomenclature at the present time for the entire solar system. Since, for example, we do not know in advance the types of surface features that m a y be discovered on the satellites of J u p i t e r and Saturn, it would be unwise to formulate detailed rules too hastily. The I A U / W G P S N will a t t e m p t to foresee the future needs for nomenclature as the program of interplanetary flights develops. Banks of names will be prepared in advance so t h a t suitable nomenclature of a general basic system m a y be given to the cartographers without delay. We have already suggested a uniform set of descriptive Latin terms for types of topographic features. F o r any given planetary body, selections m a y be made from this set, to use with the assigned nomenclature. New Latin terms can be added as required. In conclusion, I wish to emphasize that it is important for our nomenclature groups to receive suggestions and opinions from a wide range of individuals and nations. I n particular we should like to hear the views of those who will be using planetary nomenclature in their scientific publications. APPENDIX
Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature. P. M. Millman, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (President); B. Ju. Levin, Moscow, U.S.S.R.; C. H. Mayer, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.; D. D. Morrison, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.A.; T. C. Owen, Stony Brook, N.Y., U.S.A. ; G. H.
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Pettengill, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A.; S. K. Runcorn, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, U . K . ; B. A. Smith, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A. Task Group for Lunar Nomenclature. P. M. Millman, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (Acting Chairman) ; A. Dollfus, Paris, France ; F. E1-Baz, Washington, D.C., U.S.A.; K. P. Florenskij, Moscow, U.S.S.R.; H. Masursky, Flagstaff, Arizona, U.S.A.; D. H. Menzel, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A.; S. K. Runcorn, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, U . K . ; V. V. Shevchenko, Moscow, U.S.S.R. Task Group for Mercury Nomenclature. D. I). Morrison, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.A. (Chairman) ; M. E. Davies, Santa Moniea, California, U.S.A. ; A. I)ollfus, Paris, France; O. J. Gingerieh, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A. ; R. M. Goldstein, Pasadena, California, U.S.A. ; J. E. Guest, London, U.K. ; Yu. N. Lipskij, Moscow, U.S.S.R. ; B. A. Smith, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A. Task Group for Venus Nomenclature. G. H. Pettengill, Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A. (Chairman); R. M. Goldstein, Pasadena, California, U.S.A. ; M. Ya. Marov, Moscow, U.S.S.R. ; H. Masursky, Flagstaff, Arizona, U.S.A. Task Group .for Mars Nomenclature. B. A. Smith, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A. (Chairman); A. Dollfus, Paris, France; M. Ya. Marov, Moscow, U.S.S.R.; H. Masursky, Flagstaff, Arizona, U.S.A.; S. Miyamoto, Kyoto, J a p a n ; A. V. Morozhenko, Kiev, Ukraine, U.S.S.R. ; C. Sagan, Ithaca, New York, U.S.A. Task Group .for Outer Solar System Nomenclature. T. C. Owen, Stony Brook, N.Y., U.S.A. (Chairman); K. Aksnes, Cambridge, Massechusetts, U.S.A.; M. S. Bobrov, Moscow, U.S.S.R.; M. E. Davies, Santa Monica, California, U.S.A.; I). Gautier, Paris, France; B. A. Smith, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A. ; V. G. Tejfel', Alma-Ata, Kazakh S.S.R., U.S.S.R.
REFERENCES DE VAUCOULEURS, G., BLUNCK, J., DAVIES, M., DOLLFUS, A., KOVAL, I. K., KUIPER, G. P., MASURSKY, H., MIYAMOTO, S., MOROZ, V. I., SAG)N, C., AND SMITH, B. (1975). The new Martian nomenclature of the International Astronomical Union. Icarus 26, 85-98. M~.NZEL, D. H., MINNAERT, M., LEVIN, B., DOLLFUS, A., AND BELL, B. (1971). Report on lunar nomenclature by the Working Group of Commission 17 of the I.A.U. Space Sci. Rev. 12, 136-186 PETTENGILL, G. H. (1974). Commission 16: Physical study of planets and satellites. Trans. Int. Astron. Union B 15, 105-108.