List of geological features on Pluto

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A map of Pluto showing the names officially approved by the IAU as of 12 February 2025, along with many informal names in bold and italics. Map of Formal and Informal Surface Features on Pluto.svg
A map of Pluto showing the names officially approved by the IAU as of 12 February 2025, along with many informal names in bold and italics.

This is a list of named geological features on Pluto, identified by scientists working with data from the New Horizons spacecraft. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) officially approved the first 14 names on 8 August 2017 (announced 7 September 2017), [1] with additional names following in each subsequent year, but many of the names listed on this page are still informal. [2] The IAU has determined that names will be chosen from the following themes: [3] [4]

Contents

Cavi

A cavus is a hollow or steep-sided depression. Plutonian cavi are named after underworlds from fiction and mythology. The following is a list of official and unofficial names chosen by the New Horizons team. [3] [5] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

FeatureNamed afterApproval
Adlivun Cavus Underworld in Inuit mythology Approved 8 Aug 2017 · WGPSN
Baralku Cavi Baralku, the island of the dead in Yolngu cultureNot approved
Hekla CavusAn Icelandic volcano believed to be the entrance to Hell in medieval European timesApproved 30 May 2018 · WGPSN

Colles

A collis is a low hill. Plutonian colles are named after spacecraft that operated in Earth orbit. The following is a list of official and unofficial names chosen by the New Horizons team. [3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

FeatureNamed afterApproval
Astrid CollesThe Astrid program, Sweden's first satellites, in turn named after Astrid Lindgren Not approved
Challenger Colles Honors the loss of the Space Shuttle Challenger Approved 7 May 2022 · WGPSN
Coleta de Dados Colles Satélite de Coleta de Dados , first Brazilian satelliteNot approved
Columbia CollesHonors the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia Approved 7 May 2022 · WGPSN
Soyuz CollesThe Soyuz program; honors the loss of Soyuz 11 Not approved

Craters

Plutonian craters are named after scientists and other people associated with the study of Pluto. The following is a list of official and unofficial names chosen by the New Horizons team. [3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

FeatureNamed afterApproval
BowerErnest Clare Bower, American astronomer who calculated one of the first orbits of PlutoApproved 11 Sep 2024  · WGPSN
BrintonHenry Brinton, NASA administrator instrumental in Pluto studiesNot approved
Burney Venetia Burney, who proposed the name of PlutoApproved 8 Aug 2017 · WGPSN
Coradini Angioletta Coradini, Italian planetary scientistApproved 27 May 2022 · WGPSN
CoughlinThomas Boyd Coughlin, American mechanical and space engineer, first project manager of the New Horizons missionApproved 3 Jan 2020 · WGPSN
Edgeworth Kenneth Edgeworth, Irish astronomer who posited the Kuiper Belt Approved 3 Feb 2021 · WGPSN
Elliot James L. Elliot, discoverer of Pluto's atmosphereApproved 8 Aug 2017 · WGPSN
Farinella Paolo Farinella, Italian astronomerApproved 11 Sep 2024  · WGPSN
GibsonWilliam C. Gibson, Original Science Payload Manager for the New Horizons missionApproved 8 Jan 2025  · WGPSN
Giclas Henry L. Giclas, an astronomer at Lowell ObservatoryApproved 8 Jan 2025  · WGPSN
Guest John Guest, British volcanologist and planetary scientistNot approved
H. Smith Harlan Smith, astronomer and director of McDonald Observatory Not approved
Hardaway Lisa Hardaway, American aerospace engineer and program manager for the RALPH telescope on New HorizonsApproved 5 Aug 2020 · WGPSN
HardieRobert H. Hardie, American astronomer, co-discoverer of Pluto's 6.4-day rotation periodApproved 3 Jan 2020 · WGPSN
Hollis Andrew Hollis, British astronomerNot Approved
IsakowitzMatthew Isakowitz, Aerospace engineer who significantly contributed to commercial spaceflight, and was an intern working for the New Horizons missionNot approved
Khare Bishun Khare, Indian-American chemist specialized in planetary atmospheres, studied tholins extensivelyApproved 30 May 2019 · WGPSN
Kiladze Rolan Kiladze, Georgian astronomer who investigated the dynamics, astrometry, and photometry of PlutoApproved 30 May 2019 · WGPSN
Kowal Charles T. Kowal, American astronomer who discovered the first centaur Approved 7 May 2020 · WGPSN
Oort Jan Oort, Dutch astronomer who posited the Oort Cloud Approved 3 Feb 2021 · WGPSN
OwenTobias Owen, whose pioneering work on the origin and composition of planetary atmospheres and comets was revolutionary, along with playing a critical role in several NASA and ESA missions, such as Viking, Voyager, Galileo, Rosetta, Cassini-Huygens, and Juno. Owen was also the chairperson of the Task Group for Outer Solar System Nomenclature.Not approved
Pulfrich Carl Pulfrich, German physicist who developed the blink-comparator used to discover PlutoApproved 5 Aug 2020 · WGPSN
Simonelli Damon Simonelli, American astronomer and Pluto geologistApproved 30 May 2019 · WGPSN
ZagarDamon Francesco, Italian astronomer who carried out early studies of the orbit of PlutoApproved 5 Aug 2020 · WGPSN

Dorsa

A dorsum is a ridge. Plutonian dorsa are named after underworlds in mythology. The following is a list of official and unofficial names chosen by the New Horizons team. [3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

FeatureNamed afterApproval
Pandemonium Dorsa Pandæmonium, the capital of Hell in the poems of John Milton Not approved
Tartarus Dorsa Tartarus, the pit of hell in Greek mythology Approved 8 Aug 2017 · WGPSN

Faculae

A facula is a bright spot on the surface of a planet. Plutonian faculae are named after underworld creatures from mythology. The following is a list of official and unofficial names chosen by the New Horizons team. Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

FeatureNamed afterApproval
Supay Facula Supay, spirit who lived in the underworld in Quechua, Aymara, and Incan mythologiesNot approved

Fluctūs

A fluctus is a terrain covered by outflow of liquid. Plutonian fluctūs are named after travellers to the underworld. The following is a list of official and unofficial names chosen by the New Horizons team. [3] [5] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

FeatureNamed afterApproval
Dionysus FluctusThe god Dionysus from Greek mythology, who travels to Hades (the underworld) to bring the playwright Euripides backNot approved
Mpobe FluctusMpobe from Baganda mythology, a hero who willingly enters the underground worldNot approved
Pere Porter Fluctus Pere Porter  [ ca ] is the character of a 16th-17th century moral novel who travels to hellNot approved
Xanthias Fluctus Xanthias from Greek mythology, the slave who joins Dionysus on his travel to the underworldNot approved

Fossae

A fossa is a ditch-like feature. Plutonian fossae are named after figures associated with underworld myths. The following is a list of official and unofficial names chosen by the New Horizons team. [3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

FeatureNamed afterApproval
Beatrice FossaBeatrice, visits hell and asks Virgil to guide Dante in Dante's Inferno Approved 3 Feb 2021 · WGPSN
Djanggawul Fossae Djanggawul, Yolngu creation figures from the Island of the DeadApproved 8 Aug 2017 · WGPSN
Dumuzi Fossa Dumuzi, Sumerian fertility god who replaced his wife Inanna in the underworldApproved 3 Feb 2021 · WGPSN
Hermod Fossae Hermod, son of Odin, who rode the horse Sleipnir into the underworld to retrieve his brother Balder Approved 25 Sep 2019 · WGPSN
Inanna Fossa Inanna, Sumerian goddess who descended to the underworldApproved 3 Feb 2021 · WGPSN
Kaknú Fossa Kaknú, legendary Ohlone hero who travelled to the underworld to battle Wiwe. He resembled a peregrine falcon.Approved 12 Aug 2019 · WGPSN
Mwindo Fossae Mwindo, legendary Nyanga hero who travelled to the underworldApproved 30 May 2019 · WGPSN
Sleipnir Fossa Sleipnir, the steed Odin rides to the underworldApproved 8 Aug 2017 · WGPSN
Sun Wukong Fossa Sun Wukong, the Chinese Monkey King who went to HellNot approved
Uncama Fossa Uncama, Zulu tale hero who followed a porcupine underground and came upon the village of dead soulsApproved 3 Jan 2020 · WGPSN
Virgil Fossae Virgil, Dante's guide through Hell and Purgatory in The Divine Comedy Approved 8 Aug 2017 · WGPSN

Labyrinthi

A labyrinthus is a complex of intersecting valleys or ridges. Plutonian labyrinthi are named after gods of the underworld. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team. [6] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

FeatureNamed afterApproval
Xolotl Labyrinthus Xolotl, god of fire, lightning, and death in Aztec mythologyNot approved [6]

Lacūs

A lacus is a small plain, derived from the word lake. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team. [3] [5] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

FeatureNamed afterApproval
Alcyonia Lacus Lerna, also known as the Alcyonian Lake, was an entry to the netherworld in Greek mythology.Approved 30 May 2019 · WGPSN

Lineae

A linea is an elongated marking. Plutonian lineae are named after space probes. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team. [3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

FeatureNamed afterApproval
Chandrayaan Linea Chandrayaan program, a series of Indian lunar probes (2008-present)Approved 11 Apr 2023 · WGPSN
Hiten Linea Hiten, the first Japanese lunar probe (1990)Approved 11 Apr 2023 · WGPSN
Luna Linea Luna program, a series of Soviet lunar probes (1959–1976), including the first man-made object to reach the MoonApproved 11 Apr 2023 · WGPSN
Surveyor Linea Surveyor program, a series of U.S. lunar probes (1966–1968)Approved 11 Apr 2023 · WGPSN
Yutu Linea Yutu, a series of Chinese lunar rovers (2013-present)Approved 25 Apr 2023 · WGPSN
Zond Linea Zond program, a series of Soviet space probes (1964–1970)Approved 11 Apr 2023 · WGPSN

Maculae

A macula is a dark spot. Plutonian maculae are named after underworld creatures from fiction and mythology. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team. [3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

FeatureNamed afterApproval
Cadejo Macula Cadejo, from Central American folkloreNot approved [7]
Hun-Came Macula One of the two leading Maya death gods from the Popol Vuh Not approved [8]
Meng-pʻo Macula Meng Po, the Chinese goddess of forgetfulness after deathNot approved [8]
Morgoth Macula Morgoth, a figure of evil in the writings of J.R.R. Tolkien Not approved [7]
Vucub-Came Macula One of the two leading Maya death gods from the Popol Vuh Not approved [8]

Montes

A mons is a mountain. Plutonian montes (mountain ranges) are named after explorers and adventurers. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team. [3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

FeatureNamed afterApproval
Al-Idrisi Montes Muhammad al-Idrisi, medieval Almoravid explorerApproved 8 Aug 2017 · WGPSN
Baret Montes a Jeanne Baret, first woman to have completed circumnavigation voyage of the globeApproved 26 Apr 2018 · WGPSN
Coleman Mons Bessie Coleman, American aviator, first African-American woman and first Native American to hold a pilot licenseApproved 2 Sep 2019 · WGPSN
Elcano Montes Juan Sebastián Elcano, completed Magellan's circumnavigation after his deathApproved 30 May 2019 · WGPSN
Hillary Montes Edmund Hillary, first to scale Mount Everest (with Tenzing Norgay)Approved 8 Aug 2017 · WGPSN
Piccard Mons Auguste Piccard, conducted measurements of the upper atmosphere using balloons to reach an altitude of 23 kilometersApproved 30 May 2019 · WGPSN
Pigafetta Montes Antonio Pigafetta, participated in Magellan's circumnavigation and wrote its only first-hand recordApproved 30 May 2019 · WGPSN
Tabei Montes Junko Tabei, first woman to climb both Mount Everest and the Seven Summits Approved 19 Nov 2019 · WGPSN
Tenzing Montes b Tenzing Norgay, first to scale Mount Everest (with Edmund Hillary)Approved 8 Aug 2017 · WGPSN
Wright Mons Wilbur and Orville Wright, built and flew the first successful airplaneApproved 30 May 2019 · WGPSN
Zheng He Montes Zheng He, medieval Chinese explorerApproved 3 Feb 2021 · WGPSN
a. ^ Formerly Baré Montes
b. ^ Formerly Norgay Montes

Paludes

A palus (literally swamp) is a small plain. Paludes on Pluto are named after historic explorers. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team. [3] [5] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

FeatureNamed afterApproval
David-Néel Palus Alexandra David-Néel, Belgian–French explorer, best known for her 1924 visit to Lhasa, Tibet Not approved
Hyecho Palus Hyecho, Korean traveler and scholar, crossed Asia from China to Arabia and back in 724-727Approved 3 Jan 2020 · WGPSN
Tinné Paludes Alexine Tinne, Dutch explorer in Africa, the first European woman to attempt to cross the SaharaNot approved

Plana

A planum is a plateau or high plain. One (Sputnik Planum) was initially identified on Pluto; but it has since been recognized to be a planitia.

Planitiae

A planitia is a low plain, distinct from plana as they are located on lower terrain. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team. [3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

FeatureNamed afterApproval
Lunokhod PlanitiaThe Lunokhod program, two Soviet lunar rovers Approved 3 Feb 2021 · WGPSN
Ranger PlanitiaThe Ranger program, a series of unmanned probes sent to the moon in the 1960sApproved 3 Feb 2021 · WGPSN
Rosetta PlanitiaThe Rosetta mission, the first mission to orbit and land a spacecraft on a comet.Approved 7 May 2022 · WGPSN
Sputnik Planitia Sputnik 1, the first satellite to orbit the EarthApproved 8 Aug 2017 · WGPSN

Regiones

A regio is a region geographically distinct from its surroundings. Plutonian regiones are named after underworld spirits in fiction and mythology, or after scientists associated with the study of Pluto. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team. [3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

FeatureNamed afterApproval
Belton Regio Michael J. S. Belton, British astronomerApproved 22 Sep 2023 [8]  · WGPSN
Harrington Regio Robert Sutton Harrington, American astronomer, the co-discoverer of Charon and first person to calculate the Pluto system's massApproved 11 Sep 2024 [8]  · WGPSN
Lowell Regio Percival Lowell, whose ideas about Planet X inadvertently led to Pluto's discoveryApproved 30 May 2019 · WGPSN
Safronov Regio Viktor Safronov, Russian astronomerApproved 22 Sep 2023 [8]  · WGPSN
Sharaf Regio Shafika Gil'mievna Sharaf, Soviet astronomerApproved 11 Sep 2024 [8]  · WGPSN
Tombaugh Regio Clyde Tombaugh, discoverer of PlutoApproved 8 Aug 2017 · WGPSN

Rupēs

A rupes is an escarpment. Plutonian rupēs are named after explorers. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team. [3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

FeatureNamed afterApproval
Cousteau Rupes Jacques Cousteau, undersea explorerNot approved
Eriksson Rupes Leif Erikson, first Norse explorer of AmericaNot approved
Piri Rupes Piri Reis, creator of one of the first maps of the New World Approved 30 May 2019 · WGPSN
Ride Rupes Sally Ride, American astronaut and physicist, first American woman in spaceApproved 2 Sep 2021 · WGPSN

Terrae

A terra is an extensive landmass. Plutonian terrae are named after space probes. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team. [3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

FeatureNamed afterApproval
Hayabusa Terra Hayabusa , the first spacecraft to return a sample of an asteroidApproved 8 Aug 2017 · WGPSN
Pioneer Terra The Pioneer program, which included the first probes to Jupiter and Saturn Approved 3 Feb 2021 · WGPSN
Vega TerraThe Vega program, which dropped probes onto Venus's surface along with the first close flybys to Comet HalleyApproved 30 May 2019 · WGPSN
Venera Terra The Venera program, first landers on VenusApproved 30 May 2019 · WGPSN
Viking Terra The Viking program, two Mars orbiters and landersApproved 3 Feb 2021 · WGPSN
Voyager Terra The Voyager program, the first probes to visit Uranus, Neptune and interstellar space Approved 8 Aug 2017 · WGPSN

Valles

A vallis is a valley. Plutonian valles are named after historic explorers. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team. [3] [5] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

FeatureNamed afterApproval
Heyerdahl Vallis Thor Heyerdahl, Norwegian adventurer and ethnographerNot approved
Hunahpu VallesHunahpu, one of the mythological Maya Hero Twins Approved 30 May 2019 · WGPSN
Ivanov Vallis Lyubomir Ivanov, Bulgarian scientist and Antarctic explorerNot approved
Kupe Vallis Kupe, legendary discoverer of New ZealandNot approved
Lemminkäinen Valles Lemminkäinen, a hero of the Finnish national epic the Kalevala, traveled to the underworldApproved 7 May 2022 · WGPSN
Väinämöinen Valles Väinämöinen, central character of the Finnish national epic the Kalevala, traveled to the underworldApproved 7 May 2022 · WGPSN

See also

References

  1. "Pluto Features Given First Official Names". NASA. 2017-09-07.
  2. "Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature". International Astronomical Union (IAU) Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature (WGPSN). Retrieved 12 August 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "Informal Names for Features on Pluto". Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  4. "Naming of Astronomical Objects". IAU – International Astronomical Unition. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Oliver L. White, Jeffrey M. Moore, William B. McKinnon, John R. Spencer, Alan D. Howard, Paul M. Schenk, Ross A. Beyer, Francis Nimmo, Kelsi N. Singer, Orkan M. Umurhan, S. Alan Stern, Kimberly Ennico, Cathy B. Olkin, Harold A. Weaver, Leslie A. Young, Andrew F. Cheng, Tanguy Bertrand, Richard P. Binzel, Alissa M. Earle, Will M. Grundy, Tod R. Lauer, Silvia Protopapa, Stuart J. Robbins, Bernard Schmitt, the New Horizons Science Team (2017). "Geological mapping of Sputnik Planitia on Pluto" (PDF). Icarus. 287: 261–286. Bibcode:2017Icar..287..261W. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2017.01.011 . Retrieved 6 January 2017.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. 1 2 "Pluto Nomenclature" (PDF). John Hopkins APL/SwRI. 18 January 2023. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 May 2024. Xolotl Labyrinthus does not appear in later versions of this source, and is not an approved feature.
  7. 1 2 Not one of the “Brass Knuckles”, so it may not receive a new name.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Some of the "Brass Knuckles" received official names as regiones (Krun Macula was named Safronov Regio, Ala Macula was named Sharaf Regio, and Balrog Macula was named Harrington Regio), along with Cthulhu Macula (named Belton Regio), while some others (Vucub-Came Macula, Hun-Came Macula, and Meng-pʽo Macula) have not received official names yet, but are expected to eventually receive one.