IAU Transactions XXVIIA
(the following is excerpted from the on-line version of IAU Transactions XXVIA)
Contents
Proceedings IAU Symposium No. XXVIIA
Reports on Astronomy 2006–2009
Karel A. van der Hucht, ed.
© 2009 International Astronomical Union
doi:10.1017/S1743921308025490
...
DIVISION III / Working Group on Planetary Systems Nomenclature (WGPSN)
LA NOMENCLATURE DU SYSTÈME PLANÉTAIRE
CHAIR Rita M. Schulz
MEMBERS Kaare Aksnes, Jennifer S. Blue, Jürgen Blunck († 3 July 2008), Edward L. G. Bowell, George A. Burba, Guy J. Consolmagno (since November 2008), Régis Courtin, Rosaly M. Lopes-Gautier, Mikhail Ya. Marov, Brian G. Marsden, Mark S. Robinson, Vladislav V. Shevchenko, Bradford A. Smith
TRIENNIAL REPORT 2006 - 2009
1. Introduction
The Working Group on Planetary System Nomenclature (WG-PSN) develops, maintains and publishes guidelines for naming natural satellites of planets and surface features on all solar system bodies except Earth. When required the WG approves lists of new nomenclature, with accompanying explanatory notes, based on the established guidelines. Approved names are immediately added into the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Objections based on significant, substantive problems may be submitted within a 3-months period, and will be ruled on by Division III.
The WG-PSN is supported by six Tasks Groups dedicated to naming issues for the Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Outer Solar System, and Small Bodies. To simplify the name-request process for the scientific community a Name Request Form has been made available electronically on the Gazetteer web page. This also ensures that a data archive of name requests can be maintained by the Working Group. A page with frequently asked questions (FAQ) was also added to the Gazetteer. Details on the nomenclature and the naming process can be obtained from the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature <planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov>.
2. Activities between the IAU XXVI General Assembly in 2006 and 1 June 2008
Since the IAU General Assembly in Prague in August 2006, all discussion and approval procedures were handled via email. As of 1 June 2008, the WG-PSN has approved 259 new names for surface features on solar system bodies: ...
[Note: none of the new names mentioned were on the Earth's Moon]
A rule for the procedure of dropping names became necessary, which was defined as follows.
“Official approval by a Task Group and by the Working Group is required before a name can be dropped. Dropped names are retained in the database for reference; the code in the ‘approval status’ field is changed to ‘6’ indicating the name has been dropped, the name is shown in brackets in the ‘name’ field, and a brief notation is made in the ‘origin’ field explaining why the name was dropped and when it was dropped. In general, names
that have been dropped should not be re-used for other features. Dropped names could be reused in very exceptional cases; for instance, if no new names of a particular theme are available and there is strong justification, a dropped name could be considered for reuse.”
...
The existing definition of the descriptor term ‘mare/maria’ (as used on the Moon) was amended for use on Titan and now reads: ‘Sea; large circular plain; on Titan, large expanses of dark materials thought to be liquid hydrocarbons’.
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3. Closing remarks
The future activities will continue to be carried out mainly via email. However, a WGPSN meeting will be held in Ithaca, NY, USA on 10-11 October 2008, to discuss basic working group business, such as performance, need for rules and guidelines, and issues of concern. All members of the WG and the Task Groups have been invited to attend and to submit agenda items.
Rita M. Schulz
chair of the Working Group
