USGS Astrogeology Hot Topics

The names Haworth and Lenard have been approved for the lunar craters located at 86.8S, 4W, and 85.2N, 105W, respectively. For more information, see the list of Moon crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Posted by Jennifer Blue in Planetary Nomenclature at 08:47

The name Endeavour has been approved for the Martian crater located at 2.28S, 5.23W. For more information, see the list of Martian crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Posted by Jennifer Blue in Planetary Nomenclature at 08:34

The name Haumea has been approved for the object previously known as 2003 EL61. There are now five objects in the Solar System classified as dwarf planets: Ceres, Pluto, Haumea, Eris, and Makemake.

Haumea's two moons have also been given new names. Hi'iaka (Haumea I) and Namaka (Haumea II) are both daughters of Haumea in Hawaiian mythology.

For more information, see the IAU announcement and the Planet and Satellite Names and Discoverers page in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Posted by Jennifer Blue in Planetary Nomenclature at 10:27

The name Bogia has been approved for the Martian crater at 44.3S, 276.84W. For more information, see the list of Martian crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Posted by Jennifer Blue in Planetary Nomenclature at 08:47

The IAU has approved names for 39 craters, 9 montes, and 1 terra on Iapetus. For more information, see the Iapetus section of the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Posted by Jennifer Blue in Planetary Nomenclature at 14:39

The name Afekan has been approved for the crater on Titan located at 25.8N, 200.3W. For more information, see the list of Titan crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Posted by Jennifer Blue in Planetary Nomenclature at 09:46

The name Morava Valles has been approved for the system of valleys located at 13.4S, 24.4W. For more information, see the list of Martian vallis names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Posted by Jennifer Blue in Planetary Nomenclature at 09:27

The name Heimdal has been approved for a small Martian crater near the Phoenix landing site. For more information, see the list of Martian crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Posted by Jennifer Blue in Planetary Nomenclature at 08:43

The names Dagonet, Lucas, Marhaus, Melyodas, Nero, and Royns have been approved for six craters on Mimas. For more information, see the list of Mimas crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Posted by Jennifer Blue in Planetary Nomenclature at 09:53

The name Makemake has been approved for the transneptunian dwarf planet (136472) 2005 FY9. Makemake is a creator god of Rapa Nui (Easter Island). For more information, see the page "Planet and Satellite Names and Discoverers" in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature, and the IAU press release.

Posted by Jennifer Blue in Planetary Nomenclature at 08:14

The names Corinto, Naryn, Thila, and Wiltz have been approved for four craters on Mars. Please see the list of Martian crater names in the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

Posted by Jennifer Blue in Planetary Nomenclature at 09:14

Modeling Mars' surface in search of ancient rivers and oceans

Was there ever life on Mars? Many would like to believe that we used to have relatives who lived nearby. The likelihood that life existed on Mars is higher than for any other planet in the solar system. Because all known forms of life require water, the evidence that water once flowed on Mars is essential to prove that life existed there. Conversely, the possibility of life cannot definitely be rejected unless it is conclusively demonstrated that there was never water in a liquid form on Mars.

Posted by Ryan Raub in Astrogeology at 16:00

The IAU has approved 33 new names for surface features on Tethys. The new names include 31 craters, one chasma, and one montes. Please visit the Tethys section of the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature for more information.

Posted by Jennifer Blue in Planetary Nomenclature at 09:55

The IAU has approved the names Avire, Niquero, and Triolet for three small craters in quadrangle MC-24. For more information about these features, please visit the Mars section of the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.

Posted by Jennifer Blue in Planetary Nomenclature at 11:51

A digital cartographic Lunar Orbiter global mosaic is now available on Map a Planet. This mosaic was constructed using lunar data acquired by Lunar Orbiters III, IV, and V.

Posted by Ryan Raub in Lunar Orbiter at 13:53