Why in news?
The International Astronomical Union’s Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature approved a series of names proposed by Indian researchers for features on Mars, including a crater honouring geologist M.S. Krishnan and several names associated with places in Kerala. These names will appear on official planetary maps and scientific papers.
Background
The IAU, founded in 1919, is the professional body responsible for standardising astronomical nomenclature and coordinating global astronomical research. Its mission is to promote and safeguard the science of astronomy through international cooperation. Headquartered in Paris, the Union has over 12,000 members from more than 90 countries.
Functions
- Naming celestial bodies: The IAU oversees the naming of stars, planets, moons and surface features on Solar System bodies, ensuring that names are unique, culturally diverse and scientifically meaningful. It is the only authority whose designations are universally accepted by the scientific community.
- Scientific coordination: The Union organises international meetings, defines astronomical constants, disseminates new discoveries rapidly and plans collaborative observing campaigns.
- Education and outreach: Through public engagement programmes and support for astronomy education, the IAU strives to make the universe accessible to people around the world.
Recent naming of Martian features
- Krishnan crater: A 3.5‑billion‑year‑old crater on Mars has been named after M.S. Krishnan, a pioneering Indian geologist who made significant contributions to understanding Earth’s stratigraphy and tectonics.
- Kerala place names: Small valleys and channels on Mars now bear names like Valiamala, Thumba, Varkala and Bekal — towns associated with India’s space programme and cultural heritage. Names of smaller craters are drawn from villages with fewer than 100,000 inhabitants, as per IAU guidelines.
- Significance: The recognition celebrates Indian scientists and landmarks on a global stage, inspiring the next generation of planetary researchers.
Source: TH
