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List of geological features on Charon

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Annotated map of Charon, with provisional names for features

The geological features of Charon, the largest moon of Pluto, are being mapped by scientists using data from the New Horizons probe. The team has given provisional names to the most prominent.[1]

The current names are unofficial ones. The International Astronomical Union has already agreed that names for features on Charon should come from:[2]

  • Destinations and milestones of fictional space and other exploration.
  • Fictional and mythological vessels of space and other exploration.
  • Fictional and mythological voyagers, travellers and explorers.

Thus far, features discovered by the science team for the New Horizons mission to Pluto have given provisional names based on various science fiction and fantasy franchises, including Star Wars, Star Trek, Doctor Who, Alien, Firefly, and Macross. Names of real people involved in science fiction and fantasy, particularly writers, have also been used.[3] These names remain unofficial until accepted by the IAU.

Maculae

A macula is a dark spot. Charonian maculae are being named after fictional destinations.

Feature Named after Details
Gallifrey Macula Gallifrey Planet in the Doctor Who series
Mordor Macula Mordor Land in the Tolkien mythology
Vulcan Planum Vulcan Planet in the Star Trek series

Montes

A mons is a mountain. Montes on Charon are being named after authors and artists.

Feature Named after Details
Butler Mons Octavia E. Butler science-fiction author
Clarke Mons Arthur C. Clarke science-fiction author
Kubrick Mons Stanley Kubrick film director

Chasmata

A chasma is a deep, elongated, steep-sided depression. Charonian chasmata are being named after vessels in fiction.

Feature Named after Details
Argo Chasma Argo ship in the Greek myth of Jason and the Argonauts
Macross Chasma SDF-1 Macross spaceship in the Macross anime series
Nostromo Chasma Nostromo spaceship in the Alien films
Serenity Chasma Serenity spaceship in the Firefly series
Tardis Chasma TARDIS spaceship/timeship in the Doctor Who series

Craters

Photo of Charon centered on Ripley Crater. Nostromo Chasma crosses Ripley vertically. Vader is the dark crater at 12:00, Organa Crater is at 9:00, Skywalker Crater at 8:00, Gallifrey Macula and Tardis Chasma at 4:00.

Craters on Charon are named after characters associated with science fiction and fantasy.

Feature Named after Details
Alice Alice character in novels by Lewis Carroll
Kaguya-Hime[4] Kaguyahime princess of the Moon in Japanese folklore
Kirk James T. Kirk character in the Star Trek series
Organa Leia Organa character in the Star Wars films
Nasreddin Nasreddin Sufi traveller from folklore
Nemo Captain Nemo character in novels by Jules Verne
Ripley Ellen Ripley character in the Alien films
Skywalker Luke Skywalker character in the Star Wars films
Spock Spock character in the Star Trek series
Sulu Hikaru Sulu character in the Star Trek series
Uhura Nyota Uhura character in the Star Trek series
Vader Darth Vader character in the Star Wars films

See also

References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ https://www.iau.org/public/themes/naming/#dwarfplanets
  3. ^ http://earthsky.org/space/first-maps-of-charon-and-pluto
  4. ^ English pronunciation approximately /kɑːɡuːˈjɑːhiːmeɪ/
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