Names Approved for Didymos and Dimorphos

14 November 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… Read More

Name Approved for Mars: Deuteronilus Cavus

21 November 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. 

Two Names Approved for Pluto: Belton Regio and Safronov Regio

22 September 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

30 August 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

4 August 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

2 August 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

2 August 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

26 June 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

13 June 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

26 May 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.