Published , Modified Abstract on Pluto's Largest Moon, Charon, Gets Its First Official Feature Names Original source
Pluto's Largest Moon, Charon, Gets Its First Official Feature Names
Pluto's largest moon, Charon, has finally received its first official feature names. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has approved the names proposed by NASA's New Horizons team, which explored the Pluto system in 2015. The new names are inspired by fictional characters and places from mythology, literature, and science fiction.
Introduction
Charon is the largest of Pluto's five moons and was discovered in 1978 by astronomer James Christy. It is about half the size of Pluto and is tidally locked with it, meaning that one side always faces Pluto while the other side always faces away. Charon has a heavily cratered surface and a large canyon system called Serenity Chasma.
The Naming Process
The New Horizons team proposed the names for Charon's features in 2017 and submitted them to the IAU for approval. The IAU is responsible for naming celestial bodies and their features according to certain guidelines. The guidelines state that names should be related to mythology, literature, or history, and should not be offensive or commercial.
The Approved Names
The IAU has approved 14 names for Charon's features, including craters, canyons, mountains, and valleys. Here are some of the notable ones:
Argo Chasma
This is a canyon named after the ship Argo from Greek mythology. It is one of the longest canyons on Charon and is about 430 miles long.
Kubrick Mons
This is a mountain named after film director Stanley Kubrick. It is one of the tallest mountains on Charon and rises about 3.5 miles above the surrounding plains.
Ripley Crater
This is a crater named after Ellen Ripley, the protagonist of the Alien movie franchise. It is one of the largest craters on Charon and is about 360 miles in diameter.
Spock Crater
This is a crater named after the character Mr. Spock from the Star Trek franchise. It is one of the most prominent craters on Charon and is about 180 miles in diameter.
Significance of the Names
The naming of Charon's features is not just a matter of convenience or aesthetics. It also serves a scientific purpose by providing a standardized way of referring to specific locations on the moon. This is important for future missions to Charon, as well as for scientific research and communication among astronomers.
Moreover, the names reflect the cultural significance of Charon and its place in human imagination. By drawing from mythology, literature, and science fiction, the names connect Charon to broader themes of human creativity, curiosity, and exploration.
Conclusion
The naming of Charon's features is a significant milestone in our understanding and appreciation of this distant moon. It highlights the importance of cultural context in scientific exploration and underscores the role of imagination in shaping our understanding of the universe.
FAQs
What is Charon?
Charon is the largest moon of Pluto, a dwarf planet located in the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune.
Why were fictional names chosen for Charon's features?
The International Astronomical Union guidelines allow for names related to mythology, literature, or history. The New Horizons team chose fictional names to reflect the cultural significance of Charon and its place in human imagination.
How will the new names be used?
The new names will provide a standardized way of referring to specific locations on Charon for future missions and scientific research.
What is the significance of naming celestial bodies and their features?
Naming celestial bodies and their features provides a way to organize and communicate information about them among astronomers and the public. It also reflects our cultural values and aspirations.
What other celestial bodies have been named after fictional characters?
Many celestial bodies, including planets, moons, asteroids, and comets, have been named after fictional characters from mythology, literature, and science fiction. Examples include Jupiter's moons Io and Europa, named after characters from Greek mythology; Saturn's moon Titan, named after a race of giants in Greek mythology; and asteroid 18610 Arthurdent, named after the protagonist of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy book series.
This abstract is presented as an informational news item only and has not been reviewed by a subject matter professional. This abstract should not be considered medical advice. This abstract might have been generated by an artificial intelligence program. See TOS for details.