List of geological features on Titan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is a list of named geological features on Saturn's moon Titan. Official names for these features have only been announced very recently, as Titan's surface was virtually unknown before the arrival of the Cassini–Huygens probe.[1][2] Some features were known by informal nicknames beforehand; these names are noted where appropriate. Note that some features with a physical size given by "diameter" may not be circular; then the number refers to the length.[note 1]

Global map of Titan – with IAU labels (August 2016).
Titan − the surface under the haze (December 2018)

Albedo features[]

Titan – infrared views (2004–2017)

Albedo features on Titan are named after sacred or enchanted places in world mythologies and literature.[3]

Bright albedo features[]

Albedo feature Coordinates Named after
Adiri 10°S 210°W / 10°S 210°W / -10; -210 (Adiri) , Melanesian paradise[4]
Dilmun 15°N 175°W / 15°N 175°W / 15; -175 (Dilmun) Dilmun, Sumerian heaven
0°N 15°W / 0°N 15°W / 0; -15 (Quivira) Quivira, legendary city in southwestern America
Tsegihi 40°S 10°W / 40°S 10°W / -40; -10 (Tsegihi) Tsegihi, Navajo sacred place
Xanadu 15°S 100°W / 15°S 100°W / -15; -100 (Xanadu) Xanadu, an imaginary palace in Coleridge's Kubla Khan

Dark albedo features[]

Albedo feature Coordinates Named after Informal name
10°N 340°W / 10°N 340°W / 10; -340 (Aaru) Aaru, Egyptian paradise
10°S 20°W / 10°S 20°W / -10; -20 (Aztlan) Aztlán, mythical Aztec homeland Southern part of 'Lying H'
5°S 255°W / 5°S 255°W / -5; -255 (Belet) , Malay paradise
30°S 205°W / 30°S 205°W / -30; -205 (Ching-tu) Ching-tu, Chinese Buddhist paradise
5°N 30°W / 5°N 30°W / 5; -30 (Fensal) Fensalir, Norse heavenly mansion Northern part of 'Lying H'
Mezzoramia 70°S 0°W / 70°S -0°E / -70; -0 (Mezzoramia) Mezzoramia, African oasis of happiness from Italian legend
5°S 320°W / 5°S 320°W / -5; -320 (Senkyo) , Japanese paradise
Shangri-La 10°S 165°W / 10°S 165°W / -10; -165 (Shangri-La) Shangri-La, Tibetan paradise

Arcūs[]

Titanean arcūs (arc-shaped features) are named after deities of happiness.[5]

Albedo feature Coordinates Named after
28°S 79°W / 28°S 79°W / -28; -79 (Hotei Arcus) Hotei, Japanese god

Colles[]

Colles are small hills or knobs which are named after characters in J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle-earth.[6]

Collis Coordinates Diameter (km) Named after
Arwen Colles[6] 7°30′S 250°00′W / 7.5°S 250.0°W / -7.5; -250.0 (Arwen) 64 Arwen, character from Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Bilbo Colles[6] 4°12′S 38°36′W / 4.2°S 38.6°W / -4.2; -38.6 (Bilbo) 164 Bilbo Baggins, titular character of Tolkien's The Hobbit
Faramir Colles[6] 4°00′N 153°48′W / 4.0°N 153.8°W / 4.0; -153.8 (Faramir) 82 Faramir, character from Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Gandalf Colles[6] 14°36′N 209°30′W / 14.6°N 209.5°W / 14.6; -209.5 (Gandalf) 102 Gandalf, character from Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings trilogy
Handir Colles[6] 10°00′N 356°42′W / 10.0°N 356.7°W / 10.0; -356.7 (Handir) 100 Handir, character from Tolkien's The Silmarillion
Nimloth Colles[6] 11°54′N 151°18′W / 11.9°N 151.3°W / 11.9; -151.3 (Nimloth) 90 , name of a character and a tree from Tolkien's Middle-earth

Craters[]

Craters on Titan are named after deities of wisdom.[7]

Crater Coordinates Diameter (km) Named after Informal name
25°48′N 200°18′W / 25.8°N 200.3°W / 25.8; -200.3 (Afekan) 115.0 Afekan, New Guinean creator goddess
34°42′S 169°36′W / 34.7°S 169.6°W / -34.7; -169.6 (Beag) 145.0 Beag, Irish/Celtic goddess
25°30′N 10°24′W / 25.5°N 10.4°W / 25.5; -10.4 (Forseti) 115.0 Forseti, Norse god
40°18′N 14°54′E / 40.3°N 14.9°E / 40.3; 14.9 (Hano) 100.0 , Bella Coola (northwestern USA and western Canada) goddess of education knowledge and magic. She manifested as a shaman so she could teach the people
14°00′N 65°24′W / 14.0°N 65.4°W / 14.0; -65.4 (Ksa) 29.0 Ksa, Lakota/Oglala spirit
Menrva 20°06′N 87°12′W / 20.1°N 87.2°W / 20.1; -87.2 (Menrva) 392.0 Menrva, Etruscan goddess 'Circus Maximus'
11°36′N 44°36′W / 11.6°N 44.6°W / 11.6; -44.6 (Momoy) 40.0 Momoy, Chumash ancestor shaman and goddess of magic
0°06′N 194°54′W / 0.1°N 194.9°W / 0.1; -194.9 (Mystis) 20.0 , Greek nymph
Selk crater [fr; ru; it] 7°00′N 199°00′W / 7.0°N 199.0°W / 7.0; -199.0 (Selk) 80.0 Selk, Egyptian goddess
11°18′N 16°00′W / 11.3°N 16.0°W / 11.3; -16.0 (Sinlap) 80.0 Sinlap, Kachin spirit
24°18′N 140°54′W / 24.3°N 140.9°W / 24.3; -140.9 (Soi) 75.0 Soi, Melanesian (New Ireland Island Papua New Guinea) god of wisdom

Faculae[]

Faculae (bright spots) are named after islands on Earth that are not politically independent.[8] Groups of faculae are named after archipelagos on Earth.

Facula Coordinates Named after Informal name
11°00′S 187°00′W / 11.0°S 187.0°W / -11.0; -187.0 (Antilia Faculae) Antillia, mythical Atlantic archipelago
11°36′N 16°06′W / 11.6°N 16.1°W / 11.6; -16.1 (Bazaruto Facula) Bazaruto, Mozambique island
11°06′S 29°12′W / 11.1°S 29.2°W / -11.1; -29.2 (Coats Facula) Coats Island, Canada
9°24′N 150°06′W / 9.4°N 150.1°W / 9.4; -150.1 (Crete Facula) Crete, Greek island
10°48′S 1°12′W / 10.8°S 1.2°W / -10.8; -1.2 (Elba Facula) Elba, Italian island
5°24′S 151°00′W / 5.4°S 151.0°W / -5.4; -151.0 (Kerguelen Facula) Kerguelen Islands, French subantarctic island
6°36′S 174°12′W / 6.6°S 174.2°W / -6.6; -174.2 (Mindanao Facula) Mindanao, Philippine island 'Ireland'
2°00′N 159°00′W / 2.0°N 159.0°W / 2.0; -159.0 (Nicobar Faculae) Nicobar Islands, Indian archipelago
5°00′N 166°42′W / 5.0°N 166.7°W / 5.0; -166.7 (Oahu Facula) Oahu, Hawaiian island
Santorini Facula 2°24′N 145°36′W / 2.4°N 145.6°W / 2.4; -145.6 (Santorini Facula) Santorini, Greek island
Shikoku Facula 10°24′S 164°06′W / 10.4°S 164.1°W / -10.4; -164.1 (Shikoku Facula) Shikoku, Japanese island 'Great Britain'
11°30′S 182°36′W / 11.5°S 182.6°W / -11.5; -182.6 (Texel Facula) Texel, Dutch island 'Manhattan'
8°48′N 143°06′W / 8.8°N 143.1°W / 8.8; -143.1 (Tortola Facula) Tortola, British Virgin Islands 'The Snail'
7°00′N 138°24′W / 7.0°N 138.4°W / 7.0; -138.4 (Vis Facula) Vis, Croatian island

Fluctūs[]

The term "fluctus" refers to flow terrain. Fluctūs on Titan are named after mythological figures associated with beauty.[9]

Fluctus Coordinates Named after
39°48′N 118°24′W / 39.8°N 118.4°W / 39.8; -118.4 (Ara Fluctus) Ara the Beautiful, Armenian legendary figure
50°30′N 77°48′W / 50.5°N 77.8°W / 50.5; -77.8 (Leilah Fluctus) Layla, Persian goddess
11°47′S 38°32′W / 11.78°S 38.53°W / -11.78; -38.53 (Mohini) Mohini, Indian goddess of beauty and magic
47°18′N 37°45′W / 47.3°N 37.75°W / 47.3; -37.75 (Rohe Fluctus) Rohe, Māori goddess
49°00′N 46°00′W / 49.0°N 46.0°W / 49.0; -46.0 (Winia Fluctus) , Indonesian first woman

Flumina[]

A flumen is a feature that looks like a channel carved by liquid. Flumina refers to a network of rivers. Some flumina are not found near liquid bodies, which are labelled as "dry valley". They are named after mythical or imaginary rivers.[10]

Flumina Coordinates Liquid Body[note 2] Length (km)[note 1] Named after
84°17′N 297°14′W / 84.29°N 297.24°W / 84.29; -297.24 (Apanohuaya Flumen) Punga Mare 64 Apanohuaya,[11] mythological river in the Aztec Underworld
73°42′S 28°48′W / 73.7°S 28.8°W / -73.7; -28.8 (Celadon Flumina) dry valley 160 Celadon, river in Homer's Iliad
Elivagar Flumina 19°18′N 78°30′W / 19.3°N 78.5°W / 19.3; -78.5 (Elivagar Flumina) dry valley 260 The Élivágar, a group of ice rivers in Norse mythology
76°49′N 215°33′W / 76.81°N 215.55°W / 76.81; -215.55 (Gihon Flumen) Ligeia Mare 225 Gihon, Biblical second river of paradise that flows from Eden
70°12′S 192°54′W / 70.2°S 192.9°W / -70.2; -192.9 (Hubur Flumen) Ontario Lacus 84 Hubur, river of the underworld in Mesopotamian mythology
70°54′S 194°48′W / 70.9°S 194.8°W / -70.9; -194.8 (Karesos Flumen) Ontario Lacus 83 River in Homer's Iliad
72°43′N 255°00′W / 72.71°N 255°W / 72.71; -255 (Kokytos Flumina) Ligeia Mare 305 Cocytus, river of lamentations in the Greek underworld
87°20′N 90°07′W / 87.33°N 90.12°W / 87.33; -90.12 (Sambation Flumina) Punga Mare 210 Sambation, legendary river in Jewish literature
74°36′S 193°30′W / 74.6°S 193.5°W / -74.6; -193.5 (Saraswati Flumen) Ontario Lacus 2.9 Saraswati, river in Hindu mythology
Vid Flumina 72°54′N 242°30′W / 72.9°N 242.5°W / 72.9; -242.5 (Vid Flumina) Ligeia Mare 158 One of the rivers in Élivágar.
83°28′N 242°46′W / 83.47°N 242.76°W / 83.47; -242.76 (Xanthus Flumina) Ligeia Mare 78 Name of the Gods of the river Skamandros in the Iliad.

Freta[]

A fretum (plural freta) is a strait of liquid connecting two larger liquid bodies. They are named after characters from the Foundation series of science fiction novels by Isaac Asimov.[12]

Fretum Coordinates Length (km)[note 1] Named after Informal name
73°00′N 311°12′W / 73°N 311.2°W / 73; -311.2 (Bayta Fretum) 165 Bayta Darell, fictional character in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series, wife of the Trader Toran Darell and grandmother of famous author Arcadia Darell.
57°18′N 317°48′W / 57.3°N 317.8°W / 57.3; -317.8 (Hardin Fretum) 246 Salvor Hardin, fictional character in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series, first Mayor of the planet Terminus.
66°00′N 316°36′W / 66°N 316.6°W / 66; -316.6 (Seldon Fretum) 67 Hari Seldon, the fictional, intellectual hero of Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series, First Minister of the Galactic Empire. 'Throat of Kraken'[13]
74°24′N 269°54′W / 74.4°N 269.9°W / 74.4; -269.9 (Trevize Fretum) 173 Golan Trevize, fictional character in Isaac Asimov's Foundation Series, councilman of the planet Terminus.

Insulae[]

Insulae are islands within Titan's seas. They are named after legendary islands.[14]

Insula Coordinates Liquid body Named after
67°06′N 317°06′W / 67.1°N 317.1°W / 67.1; -317.1 (Bermoothes Insula) Kraken Mare Bermoothes, an enchanted island in Shakespeare's Tempest
73°18′N 305°24′W / 73.3°N 305.4°W / 73.3; -305.4 (Bimini Insula) Kraken Mare Bimini, island in Arawak legend said to contain the fountain of youth.
76°12′N 251°30′W / 76.2°N 251.5°W / 76.2; -251.5 (Bralgu Insula) Ligeia Mare Baralku, in Yolngu culture, the island of the dead and the place where the Djanggawul, the three creator siblings, originated.
77°18′N 245°06′W / 77.3°N 245.1°W / 77.3; -245.1 (Buyan Insula) Ligeia Mare Buyan, a rocky island in Russian folk tales located on the south shore of Baltic Sea
84°19′N 327°04′W / 84.32°N 327.07°W / 84.32; -327.07 (Hawaiki Insulae) Punga Mare Hawaiki, original home island of the Polynesian people in local mythology
67°00′N 320°18′W / 67°N 320.3°W / 67; -320.3 (Hufaidh Insulae) Kraken Mare Hufaidh, legendary island in the marshes of southern Iraq
69°06′N 302°24′W / 69.1°N 302.4°W / 69.1; -302.4 (Kocylea Insulae) Kraken Mare Crocylea, mythological Greek island in the Ionian Sea, near Ithaca
Mayda Insula 79°06′N 312°12′W / 79.1°N 312.2°W / 79.1; -312.2 (Mayda Insula) Kraken Mare Mayda, legendary island in the northeast Atlantic
83°51′N 313°41′W / 83.85°N 313.68°W / 83.85; -313.68 (Meropis Insula) Punga Mare Meropis, fictional island mentioned by ancient Greek writer Theopompus in his work Philippica
83°17′N 311°42′W / 83.28°N 311.7°W / 83.28; -311.7 (Onogoro Insula) Punga Mare Onogoro Island, Japanese mythological island
72°12′N 308°42′W / 72.2°N 308.7°W / 72.2; -308.7 (Penglai Insula) Kraken Mare Penglai, mythological Chinese mountain island where immortals and gods lived.
77°30′N 251°18′W / 77.5°N 251.3°W / 77.5; -251.3 (Planctae Insulae) Ligeia Mare Symplegades, the "clashing rocks" in Bosphorus which only Argo was said to have successfully passed.
68°18′N 297°12′W / 68.3°N 297.2°W / 68.3; -297.2 (Royllo Insula) Kraken Mare Royllo, legendary island in the Atlantic, on verge of unknown, near Antilla and .

Labyrinthi[]

Labyrinthi (complexes of intersecting valleys or ridges)[15] on Titan are named after planets from the fictional Dune universe created by Frank Herbert.[16][17]

Labyrinthus Coordinates Named after
39°12′N 215°00′W / 39.2°N 215°W / 39.2; -215 (Anbus Labyrinthus) Anbus
66°00′S 31°00′W / 66.0°S 31°W / -66.0; -31 (Corrin Labyrinthus) Corrin
83°00′S 36°42′W / 83.0°S 36.7°W / -83.0; -36.7 (Ecaz Labyrinthus) Ecaz[18]
77°54′S 250°00′W / 77.9°S 250°W / -77.9; -250 (Gammu Labyrinthus) Gammu
56°48′N 75°00′W / 56.8°N 75°W / 56.8; -75 (Gamont Labyrinthus) Gamont
69°18′S 239°18′W / 69.3°S 239.3°W / -69.3; -239.3 (Gansireed Labyrinthus) Gansireed
83°00′N 261°42′W / 83°N 261.7°W / 83; -261.7 (Ginaz Labyrinthus) Ginaz
69°18′S 239°18′W / 69.3°S 239.3°W / -69.3; -239.3 (Grumann Labyrinthus) Grumann
72°18′S 101°24′W / 72.3°S 101.4°W / -72.3; -101.4 (Harmonthep Labyrinthus) Harmonthep
86°14′N 289°00′W / 86.24°N 289°W / 86.24; -289 (Ipyr Labyrinthus) Ipyr[19]
47°42′S 215°18′W / 47.7°S 215.3°W / -47.7; -215.3 (Junction Labyrinthus) Junction
52°22′N 348°40′W / 52.37°N 348.66°W / 52.37; -348.66 (Kaitain Labyrinthus) Kaitain[20]
35°42′S 96°16′W / 35.7°S 96.27°W / -35.7; -96.27 (Kronin Labyrinthus) Kronin[21]
81°48′S 124°00′W / 81.8°S 124°W / -81.8; -124 (Lampadas Labyrinthus) Lampadas
48°12′S 149°30′W / 48.2°S 149.5°W / -48.2; -149.5 (Lankiveil Labyrinthus) Lankiveil
83°24′S 138°00′W / 83.4°S 138°W / -83.4; -138 (Lernaues Labyrinthus) Lernaeus
68°48′S 219°12′W / 68.8°S 219.2°W / -68.8; -219.2 (Muritan Labyrinthus) Muritan[22]
74°12′S 35°48′W / 74.2°S 35.8°W / -74.2; -35.8 (Naraj Labyrinthus) Naraj[23]
75°06′N 88°06′W / 75.1°N 88.1°W / 75.1; -88.1 (Niushe Labyrinthus) Niushe[24]
72°24′S 31°00′W / 72.4°S 31°W / -72.4; -31 (Palma Labyrinthus) Palma[25]
41°48′N 199°00′W / 41.8°N 199.0°W / 41.8; -199.0 (Richese Labyrinthus) Richese[26]
45°36′N 264°12′W / 45.6°N 264.2°W / 45.6; -264.2 (Salusa Labyrinthus) Salusa
77°54′S 28°54′W / 77.9°S 28.9°W / -77.9; -28.9 (Sikun Labyrinthus) Sikun[27]
48°S 16°W / 48°S 16°W / -48; -16 (Tleilax Labyrinthus) Tleilax
80°30′S 32°12′W / 80.5°S 32.2°W / -80.5; -32.2 (Tupile Labyrinthus) Tupile[28]

Lacunae[]

Main article: Lakes of Titan

Lacunae are dark areas with the appearance of dry lake beds, which are named after intermittent lakes on Earth.[29]

Lacunae Coordinates Length (km) Named after
68°12′N 227°36′W / 68.2°N 227.6°W / 68.2; -227.6 (Atacama Lacuna) 35.9 Salar de Atacama, intermittent lake in Chile
Eyre Lacuna 72°36′N 225°06′W / 72.6°N 225.1°W / 72.6; -225.1 (Eyre Lacuna) 25.4 It is named after Lake Eyre, an intermittent lake in Australia.[30]
66°42′N 221°00′W / 66.7°N 221°W / 66.7; -221 (Jerid Lacuna) 42.6 Chott el Djerid, intermittent lake in Tunisia
Kutch Lacuna 88°24′N 217°00′W / 88.4°N 217°W / 88.4; -217 (Kutch Lacuna) 175 Great Rann of Kutch, intermittent lake on Pakistani-Indian border
64°54′N 212°36′W / 64.9°N 212.6°W / 64.9; -212.6 (Melrhir Lacuna) 23 Chott Melrhir, intermittent lake in Algeria
Nakuru Lacuna 65°49′N 94°00′W / 65.81°N 94°W / 65.81; -94 (Nakuru Lacuna) 188 Lake Nakuru, intermittent lake in Kenya
Ngami Lacuna 66°42′N 213°54′W / 66.7°N 213.9°W / 66.7; -213.9 (Ngami Lacuna) 37.2 It is named after Lake Ngami, in Botswana,[31] and like its terrestrial namesake is considered to be endorheic.
66°06′N 224°54′W / 66.1°N 224.9°W / 66.1; -224.9 (Racetrack Lacuna) 9.9 Racetrack Playa, intermittent lake in California, USA
66°18′N 228°24′W / 66.3°N 228.4°W / 66.3; -228.4 (Uyuni Lacuna) 27 Salar de Uyuni, intermittent lake and world's largest salt flat in Bolivia
76°48′S 33°06′W / 76.8°S 33.1°W / -76.8; -33.1 (Veliko Lacuna) 93 Veliko Lake, intermittent lake in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Woytchugga Lacuna 68°53′N 109°00′W / 68.88°N 109.0°W / 68.88; -109.0 (Woytchugga Lacuna) 449 Indications are that it is an intermittent lake and so was named in 2013 after Lake Woytchugga near Wilcannia, Australia.[32][33]

Lacūs[]

Lakes of liquid methane on Titan. View from Bolsena Lacus (lower right) to Mackay Lacus (upper left).
Main article: Lakes of Titan

Lacūs (plural form of lacus used in Titan geological nomenclature) are hydrocarbon lakes.[34]

Large ringed features[]

Large ring features are named after deities of wisdom in world mythology.[35]

Ring feature Coordinates Named after
Guabonito 10°54′S 150°48′W / 10.9°S 150.8°W / -10.9; -150.8 (Guabonito) Guabonito, Taíno sea goddess
30°30′S 7°42′W / 30.5°S 7.7°W / -30.5; -7.7 (Nath) Irish goddess of wisdom
5°00′N 341°12′W / 5.0°N 341.2°W / 5.0; -341.2 (Paxsi) Aymara goddess of the moon and wisdom
2°00′N 137°18′W / 2.0°N 137.3°W / 2.0; -137.3 (Veles) Veles, Slavic god

Maculae[]

Titanean maculae (dark spots) are named after deities of happiness, peace, and harmony in world mythology.[36]

Macula Coordinates Named after
24°00′S 114°42′W / 24.0°S 114.7°W / -24.0; -114.7 (Eir Macula) Eir, Norse goddess.
31°12′N 27°00′W / 31.2°N 27.0°W / 31.2; -27.0 (Elpis Macula) Elpis, Greek god
Ganesa Macula 50°00′N 87°18′W / 50.0°N 87.3°W / 50.0; -87.3 (Ganesa Macula) Ganesa, Hindu god
23°30′N 196°18′W / 23.5°N 196.3°W / 23.5; -196.3 (Genetaska Macula) , Peace Queen of the Iroquois
17°36′N 37°12′W / 17.6°N 37.2°W / 17.6; -37.2 (Omacatl Macula) Omacatl, Aztec god.
41°06′S 280°24′W / 41.1°S 280.4°W / -41.1; -280.4 (Polaznik Macula) Polaznik, Slavic god
50°00′N 56°00′W / 50.0°N 56.0°W / 50.0; -56.0 (Polelya Macula) , Slavic god

Maria[]

Main article: Lakes of Titan

Maria (plural of mare) are hydrocarbon seas.[37]

Montes[]

Mountains are named after mountains from the fictional Middle-Earth created by J.R.R. Tolkien.[38]

Mons Coordinates Named after
10°00′S 221°00′W / 10.0°S 221.0°W / -10.0; -221.0 (Angmar Montes)
11°36′S 216°48′W / 11.6°S 216.8°W / -11.6; -216.8 (Dolmed Montes)
Doom Mons 14°39′S 40°25′W / 14.65°S 40.42°W / -14.65; -40.42 (Doom Mons) Mount Doom
7°24′S 213°48′W / 7.4°S 213.8°W / -7.4; -213.8 (Echoriat Montes)
Erebor Mons 4°58′S 36°14′W / 4.97°S 36.23°W / -4.97; -36.23 (Erebor Mons) Erebor, the Lonely Mountain
9°54′S 207°54′W / 9.9°S 207.9°W / -9.9; -207.9 (Gram Montes) Mount Gram
Irensaga Montes 5°41′S 212°43′W / 5.68°S 212.71°W / -5.68; -212.71 (Irensaga Montes) Irensaga
84°41′N 112°34′W / 84.68°N 112.56°W / 84.68; -112.56 (Lithui Montes) Ered Lithui and Ash Mountains
8°54′S 211°48′W / 8.9°S 211.8°W / -8.9; -211.8 (Merlock Montes) Merlock Mountains
Mindolluin Montes 3°18′S 208°58′W / 3.3°S 208.96°W / -3.3; -208.96 (Mindolluin Montes) Mindolluin
Misty Montes 56°48′N 62°26′W / 56.8°N 62.44°W / 56.8; -62.44 (Misty Montes) Misty Mountains
Mithrim Montes 2°10′S 127°25′W / 2.16°S 127.42°W / -2.16; -127.42 (Mithrim Montes)
15°06′N 190°30′W / 15.1°N 190.5°W / 15.1; -190.5 (Moria Montes) Mountains of Moria
4°48′S 212°06′W / 4.8°S 212.1°W / -4.8; -212.1 (Rerir Montes)
Taniquetil Montes 3°40′S 213°16′W / 3.67°S 213.26°W / -3.67; -213.26 (Taniquetil Montes) Taniquetil

Paterae[]

Paterae are caldera or deep-wall craters with a possible volcanic origin. Sotra Patera was formerly named Sotra Facula, which followed the naming theme for Faculae.[39] No nomenclature currently exists for this class of features on Titan.

Ring feature Coordinates Named after
Sotra Patera 12°30′S 39°48′W / 12.5°S 39.8°W / -12.5; -39.8 (Sotra Facula) Sotra, Norwegian island

Planitiae[]

Planitiae (low plains) on Titan are named after planets from the fictional Dune universe created by Frank Herbert.[16][40]

Planitia Coordinates Named after
Arrakis Planitia 78°24′S 117°00′W / 78.4°S 117.0°W / -78.4; -117.0 (Arrakis Planitia) Arrakis[41]
66°18′S 262°42′W / 66.3°S 262.7°W / -66.3; -262.7 (Buzzell Planitia) Buzzell
31°00′N 226°00′W / 31.0°N 226.0°W / 31.0; -226.0 (Caladan Planitia) Caladan[42]
5°00′S 23°30′W / 5.0°S 23.5°W / -5.0; -23.5 (Chusuk Planitia) Chusuk[43]
5°13′N 357°01′W / 5.22°N 357.02°W / 5.22; -357.02 (Giedi Planitia) Giedi[44]
60°36′S 345°00′W / 60.6°S 345.0°W / -60.6; -345.0 (Hagal Planitia) Hagal[45]
48°00′N 24°00′W / 48.0°N 24.0°W / 48.0; -24.0 (Poritrin Planitia) Poritrin[46]
82°48′S 201°00′W / 82.8°S 201.0°W / -82.8; -201.0 (Romo Planitia) Romo[47]
71°00′S 355°00′W / 71.0°S 355°W / -71.0; -355 (Rossak Planitia) Rossak[48]

Regiones[]

Regiones (regions distinctly different from their surroundings) are named after deities of peace and happiness.[49]

Regio Coordinates Named after
20°00′S 241°00′W / 20.0°S 241.0°W / -20.0; -241.0 (Concordia Regio) Concordia, the Roman goddess of divinity and harmony
22°00′S 292°00′W / 22.0°S 292.0°W / -22.0; -292.0 (Hetpet Regio) , the Egyptian personification of happiness
26°00′S 78°00′W / 26.0°S 78.0°W / -26.0; -78.0 (Hotei Regio) Budai, Chinese/Japanese god
10°24′N 348°06′W / 10.4°N 348.1°W / 10.4; -348.1 (Ochumare Regio) Ochumare, Puertan Rican goddess of happiness and weather
Tui Regio 24°30′S 124°54′W / 24.5°S 124.9°W / -24.5; -124.9 (Tui Regio) , Chinese goddess.

Sinūs[]

Sinus (bays) within seas or lakes are named after terrestrial bays, coves, fjords or inlets.[50]

Name Coordinates Liquid body Length (km)[note 1] Source of name
72°36′N 322°00′W / 72.6°N 322°W / 72.6; -322 (Arnar Sinus) Kraken Mare 101 Arnar, fjord in Iceland
82°52′N 335°26′W / 82.87°N 335.43°W / 82.87; -335.43 (Avacha Sinus) Punga Mare 51 Avacha Bay in Kamchatka, Russia
80°21′N 344°37′W / 80.35°N 344.62°W / 80.35; -344.62 (Baffin Sinus) Kraken Mare 110 Baffin Bay between Canada and Greenland
78°41′N 345°23′W / 78.69°N 345.38°W / 78.69; -345.38 (Boni Sinus) Kraken Mare 54 Gulf of Boni in Indonesia
81°22′N 336°26′W / 81.36°N 336.44°W / 81.36; -336.44 (Dingle Sinus) Kraken Mare 80 Dingle Bay in Ireland
82°54′N 320°30′W / 82.9°N 320.5°W / 82.9; -320.5 (Fagaloa Sinus) Punga Mare 33 Fagaloa Bay in Upolu Island, Samoa
64°54′N 295°18′W / 64.9°N 295.3°W / 64.9; -295.3 (Flensborg Sinus) Kraken Mare 115 Flensburg Firth, fjord between Denmark and Germany
83°16′N 315°38′W / 83.26°N 315.64°W / 83.26; -315.64 (Fundy Sinus) Punga Mare 91 Bay of Fundy in Canada that hosts the world's largest tides[51]
67°36′N 289°36′W / 67.6°N 289.6°W / 67.6; -289.6 (Gabes Sinus) Kraken Mare 147 Gabes, or Syrtis minor, a bay in Tunisia
80°07′N 326°37′W / 80.11°N 326.61°W / 80.11; -326.61 (Genova Sinus) Kraken Mare 125 Gulf of Genoa in Italy
56°48′N 303°48′W / 56.8°N 303.8°W / 56.8; -303.8 (Kumbaru Sinus) Kraken Mare 122 Bay in India
67°11′N 316°53′W / 67.19°N 316.88°W / 67.19; -316.88 (Lulworth Sinus) Kraken Mare 24 Lulworth Cove in southern England
78°54′N 352°32′W / 78.9°N 352.53°W / 78.9; -352.53 (Maizuru Sinus) Kraken Mare 92 Maizuru Bay in Japan
79°17′N 346°06′W / 79.29°N 346.1°W / 79.29; -346.1 (Manza Sinus) Kraken Mare 37 Manza Bay in Tanzania
76°36′N 281°24′W / 76.6°N 281.4°W / 76.6; -281.4 (Moray Sinus) Kraken Mare 204 Moray Firth in Scotland
74°48′N 251°12′W / 74.8°N 251.2°W / 74.8; -251.2 (Nicoya Sinus) Ligeia Mare 130 Gulf of Nicoya in Costa Rica
73°42′N 282°00′W / 73.7°N 282°W / 73.7; -282 (Okahu Sinus) Kraken Mare 141 Okahu Bay near Auckland, New Zealand
77°12′N 224°48′W / 77.2°N 224.8°W / 77.2; -224.8 (Patos Sinus) Ligeia Mare 103 Patos, fjord in Chile
82°24′N 241°06′W / 82.4°N 241.1°W / 82.4; -241.1 (Puget Sinus) Ligeia Mare 93 Puget Sound in Washington, United States
75°18′N 232°54′W / 75.3°N 232.9°W / 75.3; -232.9 (Rombaken Sinus) Ligeia Mare 92.5 Rombaken, fjord in Norway
82°25′N 322°30′W / 82.42°N 322.5°W / 82.42; -322.5 (Saldanha Sinus) Punga Mare 18 Saldanha Bay in South Africa
76°48′N 314°54′W / 76.8°N 314.9°W / 76.8; -314.9 (Skelton Sinus) Kraken Mare 73 Skelton Glacier near Ross Sea, Antarctica
71°18′N 292°42′W / 71.3°N 292.7°W / 71.3; -292.7 (Trold Sinus) Kraken Mare 118 Trold Fiord Formation in Nunavut, Canada
82°33′N 315°13′W / 82.55°N 315.22°W / 82.55; -315.22 (Puget Sinus) Punga Mare 31 Tumaco, port city and bay in Colombia
79°12′N 299°48′W / 79.2°N 299.8°W / 79.2; -299.8 (Tunu Sinus) Kraken Mare 134 Tunu, fjord in Greenland
80°42′N 270°00′W / 80.7°N 270°W / 80.7; -270 (Wakasa Sinus) Ligeia Mare 146 Wakasa Bay in Japan
58°12′N 324°06′W / 58.2°N 324.1°W / 58.2; -324.1 (Walvis Sinus) Kraken Mare 253 Walvis Bay in Namibia

Terrae[]

Terrae are extensive landmasses. As with the albedo features, they are named after sacred and enchanted locations from cultures across the world.[52]

Terra Coordinates Named after
13°30′S 348°00′W / 13.5°S 348.0°W / -13.5; -348.0 (Garotman Terra) , the Iranian paradise that the souls of faithful men inhabit
6°24′N 322°42′W / 6.4°N 322.7°W / 6.4; -322.7 (Tollan Terra) Tollan, the Aztec paradise where crops never wilt
2°50′N 340°07′W / 2.83°N 340.12°W / 2.83; -340.12 (Tsiipiya Terra) Tsiipiya, the Hopi name for Mount Taylor in New Mexico, USA
19°30′S 324°00′W / 19.5°S 324.0°W / -19.5; -324.0 (Yalaing Terra) , the Australian spirit land for good souls with clean water and game

Undae[]

Undae are dune fields. On Titan they are named after Greek deities of wind.[53]

Undae Coordinates Diameter (km) Named after
13°47′N 226°52′W / 13.79°N 226.86°W / 13.79; -226.86 (Aura Undae) 490 Aura, Titanis goddess of the morning wind.
6°S 215°W / 6°S 215°W / -6; -215 (Boreas Undae) 260 Boreas, Greek god of the north wind.
7°30′S 210°18′W / 7.5°S 210.3°W / -7.5; -210.3 (Eurus Undae) 220 Eurus, Greek personification of the east wind.
10°00′S 211°06′W / 10°S 211.1°W / -10; -211.1 (Notus Undae) 530 Notus, Greek god of the south or southwest wind.
8°30′S 217°06′W / 8.5°S 217.1°W / -8.5; -217.1 (Zephyrus Undae) 130 Zephyrus, Greek personification of the gentle west wind.

Virgae[]

(streaks of colour) are named after rain gods in world mythologies.[54]

Virga Coordinates Named after
19°00′S 151°00′W / 19.0°S 151.0°W / -19.0; -151.0 (Bacab Virgae) Bacab, Mayan rain god
35°00′S 166°00′W / 35.0°S 166.0°W / -35.0; -166.0 (Hobal Virga) Hobal, Arabian rain god.
36°00′S 137°00′W / 36.0°S 137.0°W / -36.0; -137.0 (Kalseru Virga) Kalseru, Australian Aborigine rain god.
Perkunas Virgae 27°00′S 162°00′W / 27.0°S 162.0°W / -27.0; -162.0 (Perkunas Virgae) Perkūnas, Lithuanian supreme god
25°00′S 32°00′W / 25.0°S 32.0°W / -25.0; -32.0 (Shiwanni Virgae) , Zuni rain god
23°48′N 179°48′W / 23.8°N 179.8°W / 23.8; -179.8 (Tishtrya Virgae) Tishtrya, Persian rain god
23°42′N 207°42′W / 23.7°N 207.7°W / 23.7; -207.7 (Tlaloc Virgae) Tlaloc, Aztec rain god
45°12′N 235°18′W / 45.2°N 235.3°W / 45.2; -235.3 (Uanui Virgae) Uanui, Māori rain god

Informal names for previously unnamed features[]

Because the exact nature of many surface features remain mysterious, a number of features took time to receive formal names and are known by nicknames. In most cases, indications of brightness and darkness refer not to visible light, but to the infrared images used to look through Titan's obscuring haze.[55]

  • '': a large, dark, sickle-shaped region identified by the Hubble Space Telescope.
  • '': unofficial name for the strait that separates the north and south basins of Kraken Mare, before officially being named Seldon Fretum. It was used in early publications that hypothesized about its role with tidal dissipation and surface currents between the two basins of Kraken Mare.[13][56]

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ a b c d The USGS web site gives size as a "diameter", but it is actually the length in the longest dimension.
  2. ^ "Dry valleys" apply to rivers that are not directly connected to a known liquid body (Mare or lacus).

References[]

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  2. ^ Overbye, Dennis (3 December 2019). "Go Ahead, Take a Spin on Titan - Saturn's biggest moon has gasoline for rain, soot for snow and a subsurface ocean of ammonia. Now there's a map to help guide the search for possible life there". The New York Times. Retrieved 5 December 2019.
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  4. ^ "Melanesian Mythology | Encyclopedia.com". encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  5. ^ "Titan arcus". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Titan Colles". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  7. ^ "Titan craters". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  8. ^ "Titan facula, faculae". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  9. ^ "Titan fluctus". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  10. ^ "Titan river, rivers". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  11. ^ "Mythological Journey to the Aztec Underworld | WilderUtopia.com". wilderutopia.com. 2018-10-10. Retrieved 2020-03-15.
  12. ^ "Titan fretum". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  13. ^ a b Lorenz, Ralph D.; Kirk, Randolph L.; Hayes, Alexander G.; Anderson, Yanhua Z.; Lunine, Jonathan I.; Tokano, Tetsuya; Turtle, Elizabeth P.; Malaska, Michael J.; Soderblom, Jason M.; Lucas, Antoine; Karatekin, Özgür (2014-07-15). "A radar map of Titan Seas: Tidal dissipation and ocean mixing through the throat of Kraken". Icarus. 237: 9–15. doi:10.1016/j.icarus.2014.04.005. ISSN 0019-1035.
  14. ^ "Titan islands". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  15. ^ Greeley, Ronald (2013). Introduction to Planetary Geomorphology. Cambridge University Press. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-521-86711-5.
  16. ^ a b Blue, Jennifer (August 4, 2009). "Hot Topics: New Name, Descriptor Term, and Theme Approved for Use on Titan". USGS Astrogeology. Archived from the original on November 1, 2014. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
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  18. ^ "Ecaz Labyrinthus". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. October 8, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
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  20. ^ "Kaitain Labyrinthus". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. January 5, 2021. Retrieved March 27, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ "Kronin Labyrinthus". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. March 1, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ "Muritan Labyrinthus". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. March 8, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. ^ "Naraj Labyrinthus". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. March 8, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  24. ^ "Niushe Labyrinthus". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. September 15, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  25. ^ "Palma Labyrinthus". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. March 8, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  26. ^ "Richese Labyrinthus". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. October 8, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  27. ^ "Sikun Labyrinthus". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. January 6, 2010. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
  28. ^ "Tupile Labyrinthus". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.
  29. ^ "Titan Lacunae". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Retrieved June 26, 2015.
  30. ^ "Eyre Lacuna". USGS planetary nomenclature page. USGS. Retrieved 2019-12-30. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  31. ^ "Ngami Lacuna". USGS planetary nomenclature page. USGS. Retrieved 2019-12-30. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  32. ^ "Woytchugga Lacuna". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. International Astronomical Union (IAU). 3 December 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2016.
  33. ^ "Woytchugga Lacuna". USGS planetary nomenclature page. USGS. Retrieved 2019-12-30. {{cite web}}: External link in |work= (help)
  34. ^ "Titan lakes". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  35. ^ "Titan large ringed feature". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  36. ^ "Titan macula, maculae". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  37. ^ "Titan mare, maria". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  38. ^ "Titan Mons, Montes". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Retrieved October 27, 2015.
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  41. ^ "Arrakis Planitia". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. April 5, 2010. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
  42. ^ "Caladan Planitia". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. October 8, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  43. ^ "Chusuk Planitia". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. August 4, 2009. Retrieved September 8, 2010.
  44. ^ "Giedi Planitia". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  45. ^ "Hagal Planitia". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.
  46. ^ "Poritrin Planitia". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. October 8, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2015.
  47. ^ "Romo Planitia". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.
  48. ^ "Rossak Planitia". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature.
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  50. ^ "Titan sinus (bays)". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
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  53. ^ "Titan unde, undae". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  54. ^ "Titan virga, virgae". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  55. ^ Barnes, Jason W.; Brown, Robert H.; Turtle, Elizabeth P.; McEwen, Alfred S.; Lorenz, Ralph D.; Janssen, Michael; Schaller, Emily L.; Brown, Michael E.; Buratti, Bonnie J.; Sotin, Christophe; Griffith, Caitlin (2005-10-07). "A 5-Micron-Bright Spot on Titan: Evidence for Surface Diversity". Science. 310 (5745): 92–95. doi:10.1126/science.1117075. ISSN 0036-8075. PMID 16210535. S2CID 34297718.
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