Classical albedo features on Mars
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The classical albedo features of Mars are those light and dark features which can be seen on the planet Mars through an Earth-based telescope.
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[edit] History
These albedo features were first named by Giovanni Schiaparelli. Schiaparelli was not the first to give names to these features; Richard Anthony Proctor had drawn up an earlier map in 1867, based in part on the observations of William Rutter Dawes, in which several features were given the names of astronomers who had been involved in mapping Mars; in some cases, several times over. These names competed with the Schiaparellian names for several decades, and were used in notable early maps drawn by Camille Flammarion in 1876 and Nathaniel Green in 1877. The Proctorian names are now, however, regarded as totally obsolete.
Schiaparelli's observations differed from those of Proctor et al., and he used this difference to justify drawing up an entirely new scheme of nomenclature in Latin. This nomenclature, drawn from the myths and history of classical antiquity with a mixture of other sources, is still used – with subsequent adjustments and elaborations by Schiaparelli and other astronomers – in some circumstances. The names are not, for the most part, used to describe the features now observed as part of the topography of Mars such as craters, volcanoes, and canyons. However, many of the names used for topographic features on Mars are based on the albedo nomenclature; for instance, the albedo feature Ascraeus Lacus ("lake of Ascra") provides the basis of the name of the Tharsis volcano Ascraeus Mons.
The observations of the early telescopic astronomers, observing from a great distance through what can now be regarded as somewhat primitive instruments (though they were advanced for their day), were limited to albedo contrasts on the surface of the planet. These albedo contrasts rarely correspond to topographic features, and in many cases obscure them. The origins of the albedo contrasts were a mystery. The lighter patches at the poles were correctly believed to be a frozen substance, either water or carbon dioxide, but the nature of the dark patches seen against the general reddish tint of Mars was obscure for a century. When Schiaparelli began observing, he believed that the darker features were seas or lakes, and named them accordingly (mare, lacus, palus, etc.). Within a few decades Mars was agreed to be devoid of surface water. The dark features were then thought by some to be indications of some kind of vegetation, since they changed shape and intensity over the course of the Martian year. They are now known to be areas where a darker surface dust is deposited; their borders change in response to windstorms on the Martian surface that pick up the dust, widening or narrowing the features.
Since most Earth-based amateur telescopes are not powerful enough to resolve the topographic surface features of Mars, amateur astronomers still use many of the old feature-names to orient and record their observations.
Not listed here are the "canals" also observed and named by Schiaparelli, for which see the article Martian canals.
[edit] Common feature names
Several Latin words are used in more than one albedo feature name. These include the following:
- Fons (ˈfɑnz) – fountain
- Fretum (ˈfri.təm) – strait
- Insula (ˈɪn.sjə.lə) – island
- Lacus (ˈleɪ.kəs) - lake
- Lucus (ˈlu.kəs) - grove
- Mare (ˈme.ɹi) – sea
- Nix (ˈnɪks) – snow
- Palus (ˈpeɪ.ləs) - marsh
- Pons (ˈpɑnz) – bridge
- Promontorium (ˌpɹɑ.mənˈto.ɹi.əm) – cape
- Silva (ˈsɪl.və) - wood
- Sinus (ˈsaɪ.nəs) – bay
- Regio (ˈɹi.dʒi.oʊ) - region
[edit] List of features
[edit] A
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Abalos | ˈæ.bə.lɑs | A no-longer existent island in the North Sea, east of Heligoland. |
| Achæorum Portus | ˌæ.kiˈo.ɹəm ˈpɔɹ.təs | "Harbor of the Achaeans" |
| Acherusia Palus | ˌæ.kəˈɹu.ʒi.ə ˈpeɪ.ləs | |
| Achillis Pons | əˈkɪ.ləs ˈpɑnz | "Bridge of Achilles" |
| Æolis | ˈi.ə.ləs | a modification of Aeolia, the name of the floating western island of Aiolos, the ruler of the winds. |
| Aëria | eɪˈɪ.ɹi.ə | From a poetic name for Egypt. |
| Ætheria | ɪˈθɪ.ɹi.ə | – the "upper world" as mentioned in Virgil, Aeneid |
| Æthiopis | ɪˈθaɪ.ə.pɪs | "Land of the Ethiopian" |
| Aganippe Fons | ˌæ.gəˈnɪ.pi ˈfɑnz | "Fountain of Aganippe" |
| Alcyonia | ˌæl.siˈoʊ.ni.ə | |
| Amazonis | əˈmæ.zə.nɪs | "Land of the Amazon" |
| Amenthes | əˈmɛn.θiz | the Egyptian name for the place to which the souls of the dead depart. |
| Ammonium | əˈmoʊ.ni.əm | |
| Aonius Sinus | eɪˈoʊ.ni.əs ˈsaɪ.nəs | "Bay of the Muses" |
| Aponi Fons | ˈæ.pə.naɪ ˈfɑnz | Classical name of Bagni d'Abano, a site of warm-water baths near Padua. |
| Aquæ Apollinares | ˈeɪ.kwi əˌpɑ.ləˈne.ɹiz | Classical name of Bagni di Stigliano, baths in Tuscany. |
| Aquæ Calidæ | ˈeɪ.kwi ˈkæ.lə.di | |
| Aquarii Depressio | əˈkwe.ɹi.aɪ dɪˈpɹɛ.ʃi.oʊ | "Lowland of Aquarius" |
| Arabia | əˈɹeɪ.bi.ə | "Arabia" |
| Arachoti Fons | ˌæ.ɹəˈkoʊ.taɪ ˈfɑnz | "Fountain of Arachotus" |
| Aram | ˈe.ɹəm | |
| Arcadia | ɑɹˈkeɪ.di.ə | From Arcadia, a region of the central Peloponnesus. |
| Arduenna | ˌɑɹ.djəˈwɛ.nə | |
| Arethusa Fons | ˌæ.ɹəˈθju.zə ˈfɑnz | |
| Argyre I | ˈɑɹ.dʒə.ɹi ˈpɹaɪ.mə | "First Silver Land"; in Ptolemy, the capital of the island of "Jabadin", south of Aurea Cherso |
| Argyre II | ˈɑɹ.dʒə.ɹi sɪˈkʌn.də | "Second Silver Land" |
| Argyroporos | ˌɑɹ.dʒəˈɹɑ.pə.ɹɑs | "Silver Strait" |
| Aromatum Promontorium | əˈɹɑ.mə.təm ˌpɹɑ.mənˈto.ɹi.əm | "Cape of Fragrant Spices" |
| Arsia Silva | ˈɑɹ.ʃi.ə ˈsɪl.və | A forest northwest of Rome, where the Tarquinii were defeated by the Romans in 509 B.C. |
| Arsine | ||
| Aryn Promontorium | ˈe.ɹɪn ˌpɹɑ.mənˈto.ɹi.əm | "Cape of Aryn" |
| Ascræus Lacus | æˈskɹi.əs ˈleɪ.kəs | a poetic paraphase of "heliconian" or "rural" |
| Astræ Lacus | æˈstɹi ˈleɪ.kəs | |
| Atlantis I | ætˈlæn.tɪs ˈpɹaɪ.mə | "First Atlantis" |
| Atlantis II | ætˈlæntɪs sɪˈkʌndə | "Second Atlantis" |
| Augila | ˈɔ.dʒə.lə | A city of Cyrenaica. |
| Aurea Cherso | ˈɔ.ɹi.ə ˈkɝ.soʊ | "Golden Peninsula", ancient name for the Malay Peninsula |
| Aureum Cornu | ˈɔ.ɹi.əm ˈkɔɹ.nju | "Golden Horn" |
| Auroræ Sinus | ɔˈɹo.ɹi ˈsaɪ.nəs | "Bay of Dawn" |
| Ausonia | ɔˈzoʊ.ni.ə | From a poetic name for Italy. |
[edit] B-E
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Baltia | ˈbæl.ʃi.ə | From a name for the regions near the Baltic Sea. |
| Bandusiæ Fons | ||
| Bathys Portus | ˈbeɪ.θɪs ˈpɔɹ.təs | |
| Benacus Lacus | ||
| Biblis Fons | ˈbɪb.lɪs ˈfɑnz | |
| Bosporium Promontorium | bɑsˈpo.ɹi.əm ˌpɹɑ.mənˈto.ɹi.əm | "Cape of the Bosphorus" |
| Bosporus/Bosphorus Gemmatus | ˈbɑs.pə.ɹəs / ˈbɑs.fə.ɹəs dʒɪˈmeɪ.təs | "Bejewelled Bosphorus" |
| Brangæna | bɹænˈdʒi.nə | |
| Campi Phlegræi | ˈkæm.paɪ flɪˈgɹi.aɪ | "Fields of Phlegra" |
| Castalia Fons | kæˈsteɪ.li.ə fɑnz | |
| Cebrenia | sɪˈbɹi.ni.ə | |
| Cecropia | sɪˈkɹoʊ.pi.ə | "Land of Cecrops" |
| Ceraunius | sɪˈɹɔ.ni.əs | |
| Chalce | ˈkæl.si | |
| Charitum Promontorium | ˈkæ.ɹə.təm ˌpɹɑ.mənˈto.ɹi.əm | "Cape of the Graces" |
| Chironis Fretum | kaɪˈɹoʊ.nəs ˈfɹi.təm | "Strait of Chiron" |
| Chryse | ˈkɹaɪ.si | Chryse was an island rich in gold in the Far East of Erythraeum |
| Chrysokeras | kɹɪˈsɑk.ə.ɹəs | The Golden Horn |
| Cimmeria Insula | sɪˈmɪ.ɹi.ə ˈɪn.sjə.lə | "Cimmerian Island" |
| Circaeum Promontorium | sɚˈsi.əm ˌprɑ.mənˈto.ri.əm | "Cape of Circe" |
| Clepsydra Fons | ||
| Coracis Portus | ˈkɑ.ɹə.sɪs ˈpɔr.təs | "Haven of Corax" |
| Cyane Fons | ||
| Cydonia | saɪˈdoʊ.ni.ə | poetic name for Crete |
| Cynia Lacus | ||
| Danaïdum Depressio | dəˈneɪ.ə.dəm dɪˈpɹɛ.ʃi.oʊ | "Lowland of the daughters of Danaüs" |
| Daphne | ˈdæf.ni | |
| Depressio Pontica | dɪˈpɹɛ.ʃi.oʊ ˈpɑn.tə.kə | "Lowland of Pontus" |
| Depressiones Aoniæ | dɪˌpɹɛ.ʃiˈoʊ.niz eɪˈoʊ.ni.i | "Lowlands of the Muses" |
| Deucalionis Regio | ˌdjʊ.keɪ.liˈoʊ.nɪs ˈɹi.dʒi.oʊ | "Region of Deucalion" |
| Dia | ˈdaɪ.ə | |
| Dioscuria | ˌdaɪ.əˈskjʊ.ɹi.ə | "Land of the Dioscuri" |
| Eden | ˈid.ən | From Eden, the biblical paradise. |
| Edom | ˈid.əm | From Edom, an ancient kingdom in modern Jordan. |
| Edom Promontorium | ˈid.əm ˌprɑ.mənˈto.ri.əm | "Cape of Edom". |
| Electris | ɪˈlɛk.tɹɪs | |
| Elysium | ɪˈlɪ.ʒi.əm | From Elysium, the Greek land of dead heroes. |
| Eridania | ˌɛɹ.əˈdeɪ.ni.ə | Land of the River Eridanus. |
[edit] F-L
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Famæ Depressio | ˈfeɪ.mi dɪˈpɹɛ.ʃi.oʊ | "Lowland of Fame" |
| Fastigium Aryn | fæˈstɪ.dʒi.əm ˈe.ɹɪn | "Summit of Aryn" |
| Ferentinæ Lucus | ˌfɛ.ɹənˈtaɪ.ni ˈlu.kəs | "Grove of Ferentina" |
| Flevo Lacus | ˈfli.voʊ ˈleɪ.kəs | |
| Gallinaria Silva | ˌgæ.ləˈne.ɹi.ə ˈsɪl.və | |
| Hammonis Cornu | həˈmoʊ.nɪs ˈkɔɹ.nju | "Horn of Ammon" |
| Hellas | ˈhɛ.ləs | "Greece" |
| Heræum Promontorium | hɪˈɹi.əm ˌprɑ.mənˈto.ɹi.əm | "Cape of Hera" |
| Hercynia Silva | hɝˈsɪ.ni.ə ˈsɪl.və | |
| Herculis Columnæ | ˈhɝ.kjə.lɪs kɵˈlʌm.ni | "Pillars of Hercules" |
| Herculis Pons | ˈhɝ.kjə.lɪs ˈpɑnz | "Bridge of Hercules" |
| Hesperia | hɛˈspɪ.ɹi.ə | "Land of Dawn" |
| Hesperidum Lacus | hɛˈspɛ.ɹə.dəm ˈleɪ.kəs | "Lake of the Hesperides |
| Hibe | ˈhaɪ.bi | |
| Hippocrene Fons | ˌhɪ.pəˈkɹi.ni ˈfɑnz | |
| Hipponitis Palus | ||
| Horarum Promontorium | hɵˈɹe.ɹəm ˌpɹɑ.mənˈto.ɹi.əm | "Cape of the Hours" |
| Hypelaus | ||
| Iapygia | ˌaɪ.əˈpɪ.dʒi.ə | Salento in Italy. Aka. Japygia. |
| Icaria | aɪˈke.ɹi.ə | |
| Ierne | aɪˈɝ.ni | A name for Ireland. |
| Isidis Regio | ˈɪs.ə.dɪs ˈɹi.dʒi.oʊ | "Region of Isis" |
| Ismenius Lacus | ɪzˈmi.ni.əs ˈleɪ.kəs | aka Lacus Ismenius |
| Jani Fretum | ˈdʒeɪ.naɪ ˈfri.təm | "Strait of Janus" |
| Juventæ Fons | dʒʊˈvɛn.ti ˈfɑnz | "Fountain of Youth" aka Fons Juventæ |
| Labeatis Lacus | ||
| Lacus Mœris | ˈleɪ.kəs ˈmɪ.ɹɪs | Lake Moeris, a lake in the Egyptian Fayum. |
| Lausonius Lacus | ||
| Lemuria | lɪˈmjʊ.ɹi.ə | From Lemuria, a fictional sunken land in the Pacific. |
| Lerne | ˈlɝ.ni | |
| Libya | ˈlɪ.bi.ə | "Libya". |
| Lucrinus Lacus | ||
| Lucus Angitiæ | ||
| Lucus Feronia | ||
| Lucus Maricæ | ||
| Lunæ Lacus | ˈlu.ni ˈleɪ.kəs | "Lake of the Moon" aka Lacus Lunæ |
[edit] M-N
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Mæisia Silva | ||
| Mapharitis | ||
| Mare Acidalium | ˈme.ɹi ˌæ.səˈdeɪ.li.əm | named for the fountain Acidalia in Boeotia, where the Graces used to bathe |
| Mare Australe | ˈme.ɹi ɔsˈtɹeɪ.li | "Southern Sea" |
| Mare Chronium | ˈme.ɹi ˈkɹoʊ.ni.əm | |
| Mare Cimmerium | ˈme.ɹi sɪˈmɪ.ɹi.əm | "Cimmerian Sea", named after an ancient Thracian seafaring people |
| Mare Erythræum | ˈme.ɹi ˌɛɹəˈθɹi.əm | "Red Sea" |
| Mare Hadriaticum | ˈme.ɹi ˌheɪ.dɹiˈæ.tə.kəm | "Adriatic Sea". Aka Hadriaticum Mare. |
| Mare Icarium | ˈme.ɹi aɪˈke.ɹi.əm | |
| Mare Oceanidum | ˈme.ɹi ˌoʊʃiˈæ.nə.dəm | "Sea of the Oceanids" |
| Mare Sirenum | ˈme.ri saɪˈɹi.nəm | "Sea of Sirens" |
| Mare Tyrrhenum | ˈme.ɹi təˈɹi.nəm | "Tyrrhenian Sea" |
| Mareotis | ||
| Margaritifer Sinus | ˌmaɹ.gəˈɹɪ.tə.fɚ ˈsaɪ.nəs | "Pearlbearing Bay" |
| Memnonia | mɛmˈnoʊ.ni.ə | "Land of Memnon" |
| Meroë Insula | ˈmɛ.ɹoʊ.i ˈɪn.sjə.lə | "Island of Meroe" |
| Messeis Fons | ||
| Mons Argenteus | ˈmɑnz ɑɹˈdʒɛn.ti.əs | "Silver mountain" |
| Neith Regio | ˈniθ ˈɹi.dʒi.oʊ | "Region of Neith" |
| Nepheles Depressio | ˈnɛ.fə.liz dɪˈpɹɛ.ʃi.oʊ | "Lowland of cloud" |
| Nereïdum Promontorium | nɪˈɹi.ə.dəm ˌpɹɑ.mənˈto.ɹi.əm | "Cape of the Nereids |
| Nerigos | ˈnɛ.ɹə.gɑs | Name of a fictional country, supposedly in or near Scandinavia. |
| Nessonis Lacus | ||
| Niliacus Lacus | nɪˈlaɪ.ə.kəs ˈleɪ.kəs | "Lake of the Nile" |
| Nitriæ | ||
| Nix Atlantica | ˈnɪks ætˈlæn.tə.kə | "Atlantic Snow" |
| Nix Olympica | ˈnɪks ɵˈlɪm.pə.kə | "Olympian Snow" |
| Noachis | ˈnoʊ.ə.kɪs | "Land of Noah" |
| Nodus Gordii | ˈnoʊ.dəs ˈgɔɹ.di.aɪ | "Gordian Knot" |
| Noti Sinus | ˈnoʊ.taɪ ˈsaɪ.nəs | "Bay of Notus" |
| Novissima Thyle | nɵˈvɪ.sə.mə ˈθaɪ.li | "Newest Thule" |
| Nuba Lacus | nju.bə ˈleɪ.kəs |
[edit] O-S
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Octantis Depressio | ɑkˈtæn.təs dɪˈpɹɛ.ʃi.oʊ | "Lowland of Octans" |
| Œnotria | ɪˈnoʊ.tri.ə | |
| Ogygis Regio | ˈɑ.dʒə.dʒɪs ˈɹi.dʒi.oʊ | "Region of Ogyges" |
| Ophir | ˈoʊ.fɚ | From Ophir, a biblical land of gold. |
| Ortygia | ɔɹˈtɪ.dʒi.ə | |
| Oxia Palus | ˈɑk.ʃi.ə ˈpeɪ.ləs | |
| Palicorum Lacus | ˌpæ.lɪˈko.ɹəm ˈleɪ.kəs | |
| Palinuri Fretum | ˌpæ.lɪˈnjʊ.ɹaɪ ˈfri.təm | "Strait of Palinurus" |
| Palinuri Sinus | ˌpæ.lɪˈnjʊ.ɹaɪ ˈsaɪ.nəs | "Bay of Palinurus" |
| Pallas Lacus | ˌpæ.ləs ˈleɪ.kəs | |
| Panchaia | pænˈkeɪ.ə | From the name of an island supposed to be in South Arabia. |
| Phaëthontis | ˌfeɪ.əˈθɑn.təs | "Land of Phaethon" |
| Phlegra | ˈfli.gɹə | |
| Phœnicis Lacus | fɪˈnaɪ.sɪs ˈleɪ.kəs | "Lake of the Phoenix" aka Lacus Phœnicis |
| Phrixi Regio | ˈfɹɪk.saɪ ˈɹi.dʒi.oʊ | "Region of Phrixus" |
| Piscis Depressio | ˈpaɪ.sɪs dɪˈpɹɛ.ʃi.oʊ | "Depression of the Fish" |
| Promethei Sinus | pɹɵˈmi.θi.aɪ ˈsaɪ.nəs | "Bay of Prometheus" |
| Propontis | pɹɵˈpɑn.tɪs | From an old name for the Sea of Marmara. |
| Protei Regio | ˈpɹoʊ.ti.aɪ ˈɹi.dʒi.oʊ | "Region of Proteus" |
| Pyrrhæ Regio | ˈpɪ.ɹi ˈɹi.dʒi.oʊ | "Region of Pyrrha" |
| Scandia | ˈskæn.di.ə | From a name for Skåne or Scandinavia. |
| Scheria Insula | ˈskɪ.ɹi.ə ˈɪn.sjʊ.lə | "Scheria Island" |
| Serapium | ||
| Simoëntis Sinus | ˌsɪ.moʊˈɛn.tɪs ˈsaɪ.nəs | "Bay of Simois" |
| Sinus Sabæus | ˈsaɪ.nəs səˈbi.əs | "Bay of Sheba". Aka Sabaeus Sinus. |
| Sirbonis Lacus | ||
| Socratis Promontorium | ˈsɑ.kɹə.tɪs ˌpɹɑ.mənˈto.ɹi.əm | "Cape of Socrates" |
| Solis Fons | ˈsoʊ.lɪs ˈfɑnz | "Fountain of the Sun" |
| Solis Lacus | ˈsoʊ.lɪs ˈleɪ.kəs | "Lake of the Sun" |
| Syrtis Major | ˈsɝ.tɪs ˈmeɪ.dʒɚ | a Libyan gulf, now Gulf of Sirte. |
| Syrtis Minor | ˈsɝ.tɪs ˈmaɪ.nɚ | aka Syrtis Parva. |
[edit] T-Z
| Name | Pronunciation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Tempe | ˈtɛm.pi | |
| Tharsis | ˈθɑɹ.sɪs | "Tarshish" (Tartessos) |
| Thaumasia | θɔˈmeɪ.ʒə | "Land of Wonders" |
| Thyle I | ˈθaɪ.li ˈpɹaɪ.mə | "First Thule" |
| Thyle II | ˈθaɪ.li sɪˈkʌn.də | "Second Thule" |
| Thyles Collis | ˈθaɪ.liz ˈkɑ.lɪs | "Hill of Thule" |
| Thyles Mons | ˈθaɪ.liz ˈmɑnz | "Mountain of Thule" |
| Thymiamata | ˌθɪ.miˈæ.mə.tə | "Incenses" |
| Tiphys Fretum | ˈtaɪ.fɪs ˈfri.təm | |
| Titanum Sinus | taɪˈteɪ.nəm ˈsaɪ.nəs | "Bay of the Titans" |
| Tithonius Lacus | tɪˈθoʊ.ni.əs ˈleɪ.kəs | |
| Trinythios | ||
| Trivium Charontis | ˈtɹɪ.vi.əm kəˈɹɑn.tɪs | "Crossroads of Charon" |
| Uchronia | jʊˈkɹoʊ.n.iə | "Nowhen" |
| Ulyxis Fretum | jʊˈlɪk.sɪs ˈfri.təm | "Strait of Ulysses" |
| Utopia | jʊˈtoʊ.pi.ə | "Nowhere, Utopia" |
| Vulcani Pelagus | vʌlˈkeɪ.naɪ ˈpɛ.lə.gəs | "Sea of Vulcan" |
| Xanthi Sinus | ˈzæn.θaɪ ˈsaɪ.nəs | "Bay of Xanthus" |
| Xisuthri Regio | zɪˈsu.θɹaɪ ˈɹi.dʒi.oʊ | "Region of Xisuthrus" |
| Yaonis Regio | ˈjeɪ.ə.nɪs ˈɹi.dʒi.oʊ | "Region of Emperor Yao" |
| Zephyria | zɪˈfɪ.ri.ə | "Land of the West Wind (Zephyr)" |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- The Origins of Martian Nomenclature, T. L. MacDonald, 1971.
- The Planet Mars: A History of Observation and Discovery, William Sheehan.
