Naming the Features on the Moon

Hi all

I was just wondering, is there a body responsible for naming the features on the moon?

The reason I ask is with the passing of Sir Patrick Moore, a man whose accurate moon maps were invaluable for the Apollo moon landings, a fact acknowledged by the astronauts and NASA, I would like to contact them to suggest that a crater be named after Sir Patrick, preferably on the near side, so that he can look down on us.

Any information would be helpful.

Thanks

Paul

Hi Paul - I saw you mention it in the other thread and thought that it was a great suggestion.

Crater nomenclature is goverened by the International Astronmical Union - presumably for craters on other planets/moons too.

He has an asteroid named after him - 2602 Moore - but alas, not a lunar crater. I'm not sure if any other lunar features bear his name...

Great suggestion - worth following up.

The late Brian Marsden would have been a good man to talk to about this. Mike Refern in Galway is Ireland's rep at the IAU. Might be worth getting a petition going and asking Mike to present it to the IAU comission.

I just sent an email to the nomenclature section of the IAU with the request, I'll see what reply I get.

Do you have an email address for Mike, Dave?

Paul

Hi Paul thats a great idea let me know if you need any help with that

Here is the email address I got it from the IAU website

mike.redfern/at/nuigalway.ie

Thanks Paul, I just sent him an email and we'll see how it goes from there.

Paul