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List of geological features on Pluto

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

List of geological features on Pluto
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This is a list of named geological features on Pluto, identified by scientists working with data from the New Horizons spacecraft. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) officially approved the first 14 names on 8 August 2017 (announced 7 September 2017),[1] with additional names following in each subsequent year, but many of the names listed on this page are still informal.[2] The IAU has determined that names will be chosen from the following themes:[3][4]

  • Names for the underworld from the world's mythologies
  • Gods, goddesses, and dwarfs associated with the underworld
  • Heroes and other explorers of the underworld
  • Writers associated with Pluto and the Kuiper belt
  • Pioneering space missions and spacecraft
  • Scientists and engineers associated with Pluto and the Kuiper belt

Thumb
A map of Pluto showing the names officially approved by the IAU as of 12 February 2025, along with many informal names in bold and italics.
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Cavi

A cavus is a hollow or steep-sided depression. Plutonian cavi are named after underworlds from fiction and mythology. The following is a list of official and unofficial names chosen by the New Horizons team.[3][5] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

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Colles

A collis is a low hill. Plutonian colles are named after spacecraft that operated in Earth orbit. The following is a list of official and unofficial names chosen by the New Horizons team.[3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

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Craters

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Plutonian craters are named after scientists and other people associated with the study of Pluto. The following is a list of official and unofficial names chosen by the New Horizons team.[3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

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Dorsa

A dorsum is a ridge. Plutonian dorsa are named after underworlds in mythology. The following is a list of official and unofficial names chosen by the New Horizons team.[3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

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Faculae

A facula is a bright spot on the surface of a planet. Plutonian faculae are named after underworld creatures from mythology. The following is a list of official and unofficial names chosen by the New Horizons team. Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

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Fluctūs

A fluctus is a terrain covered by outflow of liquid. Plutonian fluctūs are named after travellers to the underworld. The following is a list of official and unofficial names chosen by the New Horizons team.[3][5] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

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Fossae

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A fossa is a ditch-like feature. Plutonian fossae are named after figures associated with underworld myths. The following is a list of official and unofficial names chosen by the New Horizons team.[3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

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Labyrinthi

A labyrinthus is a complex of intersecting valleys or ridges. Plutonian labyrinthi are named after gods of the underworld. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team.[6] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

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Lacūs

A lacus is a small plain, derived from the word lake. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team.[3][5] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

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Lineae

A linea is an elongated marking. Plutonian lineae are named after space probes. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team.[3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

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Maculae

A macula is a dark spot. Plutonian maculae are named after underworld creatures from fiction and mythology. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team.[3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

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Montes

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A mons is a mountain. Plutonian montes (mountain ranges) are named after explorers and adventurers. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team.[3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

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a.^ Formerly Baré Montes
b.^ Formerly Norgay Montes

Paludes

A palus (literally swamp) is a small plain. Paludes on Pluto are named after historic explorers. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team.[3][5] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

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Plana

A planum is a plateau or high plain. One (Sputnik Planum) was initially identified on Pluto; but it has since been recognized to be a planitia.

Planitiae

A planitia is a low plain, distinct from plana as they are located on lower terrain. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team.[3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

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Regiones

A regio is a region geographically distinct from its surroundings. Plutonian regiones are named after underworld spirits in fiction and mythology, or after scientists associated with the study of Pluto. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team.[3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

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Rupēs

A rupes is an escarpment. Plutonian rupēs are named after explorers. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team.[3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

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Terrae

A terra is an extensive landmass. Plutonian terrae are named after space probes. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team.[3] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

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Valles

A vallis is a valley. Plutonian valles are named after historic explorers. The following is a list of names chosen by the New Horizons team.[3][5] Names that have been officially approved are labeled as such.

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See also

References

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