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

Historical maps and rare photographs illustrate four centuries of mapping the Moon.

Ewen A. Whitaker (Author)

9780521544146, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 11 December 2003

264 pages, 158 b/w illus.
24.7 x 18.9 x 1.6 cm, 0.49 kg

'Whitaker presents us with a scholarly, yet most readable, insight into both the history of the drawing and production of Moon maps and the vagaries of naming lunar features.' David W. Hughes, The Observatory

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.

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.

Subject Areas: Solar system: the Sun & planets [PGS]