I am interested in learning about the naming schemes used in geographical features (mountains, rivers, volcanoes, etc) in other planets or the moons of these planets.
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$\begingroup$ I've never detect a coherent scheme of any sort. As far as I know it's "whatever we decide to call it". But I'm certainly willing to be corrected! $\endgroup$– Darth PseudonymCommented Oct 1 at 19:20
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$\begingroup$ planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Categories $\endgroup$– BowlOfRedCommented Oct 1 at 22:24
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$\begingroup$ The smooth terrain on asteroid Itokawa that Hayabusa sampled was originally named the "Muses Sea" by the mission team, but the IAU has apparently inverted the pun: it's now the "MUSES-C regio" ツ $\endgroup$– John DotyCommented Oct 3 at 20:50
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There are guidelines for naming as well as the actual official names are decided by the IAU. However any rules on how bodies or features on bodies should be named has not always been adhered to consequently everywhere. As virtually every category of bodies has its own naming scheme and then every body with surface feature a separate scheme for those, it would be a lengthy copy&paste task; the detailed description for each surface feature can be found on the site of the USGS.
Some examples however, for the planets themselves, the Moon and Plutonian system:
Planets
are named after Roman gods
The Moon
During the 360-year history of lunar nomenclature, various names were given that do not conform to the present naming scheme, including the special action of 1970 to commemorate six astronauts and six cosmonauts while they were still living. The themes below will be followed for future naming with adherence to the current IAU Rules and Conventions (https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Rules).
Craters: Scientists, engineers, and explorers, as well as other persons connected with astronomy, planetary, or space research who have made outstanding or fundamental contributions to their field. Russian cosmonauts are commemorated by craters in and around Mare Moscoviense. American astronauts are commemorated by craters in and around the crater Apollo. Appropriate locations will be provided in the future for other space-faring nations. First names are used for small craters of special interest.
Lacūs, maria, paludes, sinūs, and oceani: Latin terms describing weather and other abstract concepts
Montes: Terrestrial mountain ranges, nearby craters, and scientists who have made outstanding or fundamental contributions to their fields
Rupēs, valles: Nearby craters or other landforms
Dorsa: Geoscientists
Catenae and rimae: Nearby craters
Satellite Features: Craters lettered after nearby prominent named craters
Pluto and Plutonian Satellites
Pluto
- Faculae, labyrinthi, maculae, and sulci: Gods, goddesses, and other beings associated with the Underworld from mythology, folklore and literature
- Cavi, dorsa, lacūs, and paterae: Names for the Underworld and for Underworld locales from mythology, folklore and literature
- Fluctūs, fossae, and valles: Heroes and other explorers of the Underworld
- Craters and regiones: Scientists and engineers associated with Pluto and the Kuiper Belt
- Colles, lineae, planitiae, and terrae: Pioneering space missions and spacecraft
- Montes, paludes, rupēs: Historic pioneers who crossed new horizons in the exploration of the Earth, sea and sky
Charon
- Maculae, plana, planitiae, and terrae: Destinations and milestones of fictional space and other exploration
- Chasmata: Fictional and mythological vessels of space and other exploration
- Craters: Fictional and mythological voyagers, travelers and explorers
- Montes and dorsa: Authors and artists associated with space exploration, especially Pluto and the Kuiper Belt
Styx: River gods
Nix: Deities of the night
Kerberos: Dogs from literature, mythology and history
Hydra: Legendary serpents and dragons
