Mapping and Naming the Moon: A History of Lunar Cartography and Nomenclature

by Ewen A. Whitaker

• ISBN13: 9780521544146
• ISBN10: 0521544149
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-12-11
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Almost 30 years after the Apollo missions, 'Tranquillity Base', 'Hadley Rille', or 'Taurus-Littrow' are names still resonant with the enormous achievements represented by the lunar landings. But how did these places get their names? Who named Copernicus Crater? Where did all those names on lunar maps come from, and what stimulated their selection? Ewen Whitaker traces the origins and evolution of the present-day systems for naming lunar features, such as craters, mountains, valleys and dark spots. The connections between the prehistoric and historic names, and today's gazetteer are clearly described. Beautiful lunar maps spanning four centuries of progress wonderfully illustrate the unfolding of our ability to map the Moon. Rare, early, photographs add to the sense of history. Comprehensive appendices and the bibliography make this delightful book a work of lasting reference and scholarship.

Author Biography

Ewen Whitaker worked as an astronomer at the Royal Greenwich Observatory (Greenwich and Herstmonceux), Yerkes Observatory (Wisconsin), and the Lunar and Planetary Laboratory (University of Arizona). He is a Member of the International Astronomical Union, and works with its Task Group for Lunar Nomenclature. In 1982 the British Astronomical Association awarded him its highest honour, the Walter Goodacre Medal. A participant of several NASA missions, Whitaker located the landing position of Surveyor 3 which enabled Apollo 12 astronauts to land alongside it and return parts to Earth. Ewen Whitaker lives in retirement in Tucson, Arizona.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Part I. First Era: From Prehistoric Images to Archetype Map: 1. Pre-telescopic lunar observations

2. Early telescopic observations of the Moon

3. Van Langren (Langrenus) and the birth of selenography

4. Six more years of sporadic activity

Part II. Second Era: From Archetype to Maturity: 5. 140 years of sporadic activity

6. A globe, tree rings, and a city

7. Lunar cartography comes of age

Part III. Third Era: From proliferation to standardisation: 8. Lunar mapping in the Victorian period

9. Nomenclature gets international attention

Part IV. The Space Age Demands Changes: 10. Setting up guidelines

11. Planets and satellites set the rules. Appendices 1 - 22.