Mapping and Naming the Moon by Ewen A. Whitaker - 9780521544146

Mapping and Naming the MoonA History of Lunar Cartography and Nomenclature\nAuthor(s): Ewen A. Whitaker\nFormat: Paperback\nPublisher: Cambridge University Press, United Kingdom\nImprint: Cambridge University Press\nISBN-13: 9780521544146, 978-0521544146\nSynopsis\nAlmost 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.