March 4, 2016

NOT the Source of Lunar Nomenclature

Originally published May 9, 2005

Image Credit: Hevelius and The U.S. Naval Observatory Library

NOT the Source of Lunar Nomenclature In 1647, Johannes Hevelius made the second major chart of the Moon that showed and named identifiable features - Langrenus was first in 1645. Using a 12 ft long, 50 power telescope Hevelius made three maps - including a full Moon view - the eastern half of which is seen here. The double rim demonstrates that Hevelius recognized and mapped the effects of libration. Hevelius named 286 craters, mountains and maria, but only 10 of his names, including the Alpes and Apennines, are still used. Hevelius’ names were long and cumbersome; more significantly, four years later Grimaldi’s map appeared with the simplifed nomnclature of Riccioli. These are the hundreds of names we know today: Copernicus, Plato, Ptolemaeus, and most of the others. — Chuck Wood Related Links: Hevelius Yesterday's LPOD: Splayed Rays Tomorrow's LPOD: Theo as You've Never See It

Author & Editor: Charles A. Wood

 

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