Questions tagged [nomenclature]
The nomenclature tag has no usage guidance.
19
questions
2
votes
1
answer
84
views
How (the heck) does an astronomical Celescope work? And how did it get its name?
Here's an exceprt from the recent question
The claim may refer to the band labeled U4 in the Celescope Catalog of Ultraviolet Stellar Observations, which refers to a filter with a spectral response ...
- 31k
0
votes
0
answers
155
views
What do you call the opposite of a leap second?
A second is sometimes added to compensate for the slowing down of the Earth's rotation, these are called "leap seconds" by analogy with "leap years". There has been a decision to ...
3
votes
1
answer
63
views
Is "monochromatic source" different than "monochromator" in astronomical instrumentation?
I got a comment to replace "monochromator" by "monochromatic source" for a paper on an astronomical instrument. The latter seems less specific for no reason.
Is there an agreement ...
- 165
2
votes
1
answer
37
views
Mars crater nomenclature
The Wikipedia page for planetary nomenclature states that small craters don't follow the same rule as large craters as far . What is the cutoff between small and large craters (as far as naming is ...
- 17.2k
3
votes
1
answer
68
views
Names of the galactic backdrop
I am wondering what are the various names given to the plane of the milky way. I am looking for a specific one I once heard, and will likely recognise when I see it.
If I can explain better with a ...
- 728
1
vote
1
answer
124
views
Name for the boundary between near and far sides relative to an observer
Does the boundary between the near (visible) and far sides of an object have a name, analogous to the terminator which divides day from night? (For a spherical object, this would be a great circle in ...
26
votes
3
answers
9k
views
Why do some supermassive black holes have a * in their name?
Sgr A*, M87*,... Several supermassive black holes (SMBHs) at the center of galaxies have a star (*) in their name. But many others do not. Is there a physical difference between the SMBHs that are ...
- 17.2k
4
votes
2
answers
150
views
Is the satellite of a small star in a binary solar system a moon or a planet?
What exaclty distinguishes a moon from a planet?
In a binary solar system that has a large star in the center and a smaller star - among some planets - orbiting that large star, and the smaller star ...
3
votes
1
answer
92
views
Are there dwarf planets that aren't minor planets?
This diagram makes it look like there are dwarf planets that aren't minor planets. Is this indeed the case, or am I misreading the diagram? If there are dwarf planets that aren't minor planets, what ...
- 17.2k
6
votes
3
answers
536
views
Nomenclature of Interstellar Objects and Stars
I posted this question on the space exploration SE but people recommended that it would be more on-topic here. Could someone please help by giving some definite laws of nomenclature for celestial ...
3
votes
1
answer
111
views
Since Proxima Centauri orbits the other two Alpha Centauri stars, will it eventually be farther away from us than they are?
And, if so, will we have to change its name to Distal Centauri ;-) ?
Granted, its orbital period around the other two is about 550,000 Earth years, so we have some time....
- 4,503
2
votes
2
answers
170
views
How does one go about submitting a name for a newly-discovered lunar crater?
Suppose I discover an uncatalogued crater on the lunar surface, and decide to name it. How would I submit my proposed name to the IAU?
- 23
0
votes
1
answer
46
views
Who coined the phrase "martian dichotomy"?
This question is adjacent to this other one.
The martian dichotomy refers to the fact that the northern and southern hemisphere are radically different on Mars, with different surface ages and ...
- 17.2k
16
votes
1
answer
3k
views
The newly discovered comet NEOWISE has been given the name C/2020 F3. What is the meaning of the F3 and the C in this name?
The new comet C/2020 F3 was first spotted by NASA's NEOWISE satellite in March 2020.
It is now visible in the NE sky just before dawn. The C may refer to it's non-periodic nature (so far). What does ...
- 263
22
votes
1
answer
3k
views
What would an asteroid inside of Mercury's orbit be called?
The first Vatira asteroid has been discovered. This makes me wonder if there is already a name for the hypothetical class of asteroids that orbit entirely inside of Mercury's orbit. It wouldn't be the ...
- 17.2k
2
votes
0
answers
79
views
Why was the diaeresis removed from Pasiphae?
The Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature notes that the spelling of Jupiter's moon Pasiphae was changed from Pasiphaë in July 2009, i.e. they removed the diaeresis. I've been unable to track down the ...
user24157
2
votes
1
answer
181
views
Where do the symbols $\lambda$ and $\beta$ come from for celestial latitude and longitude?
I'm reading Episodes From the Early History of Astronomy, and the author mentions the system of celestial coordinates based on the ecliptic. In this system, the two coordinates are latitude and ...
- 17.2k
1
vote
1
answer
2k
views
What are the correct symbols for vernal and autumnal equinox?
What are the correct symbols for vernal and autumnal equinox?
I have seen people use both ♈︎ (\Aries) and $\gamma$ (\gamma) to denote vernal equinox. However, I have never seen the symbol for ...
- 398
1
vote
1
answer
119
views
Why are only some of the geologic features in Mars' Noctis Labyrinthus region named?
I found this page Names Approved for Six Cavi and a Tholus on Mars which lists seven features on Mars. I'm curious about the decisions to name only these features: Dalu Cavus, Layl Cavus, Malam Cavus, ...
- 1,599