Reviving the Classical and Cultural Heritage of Martian Nomenclature: An Introduction to the Encyclopedia of Martian Geography and Atlas of Martian Geography
Year: 2026
Type: preprint
Abstract: Mars occupies a singular position in both scientific inquiry and human imagination as the planetary body beyond Earth that has been most extensively observed, mapped, mythologized, and projected upon as a future domain of human activity. The Encyclopedia of Martian Geography (three volumes) and its companion Atlas of Martian Geography constitute a comprehensive synthesis of centuries of telescopic albedo observations, modern spacecraft-derived topography, historical nomenclature systems, fictional traditions, and newly proposed designations. These works systematically revive approximately 400 classical albedo features drawn from nineteenth- and early twentieth-century maps by Schiaparelli, Lowell, Antoniadi, and others; integrate them with current International Astronomical Union (IAU) standards and United States Geological Survey (USGS) Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) data; and advance more than 3,000 additional names. This article examines the historical evolution of Martian cartography from the earliest telescopic sketches through the post-Mariner rationalization of nomenclature, assesses the cultural and scientific significance of competing naming systems, and argues for the enduring value of preserving imaginative continuity alongside utilitarian precision. Recent scholarship on planetary cartography, IAU/USGS nomenclature processes, and the cultural representation of Mars as a place further underscores the continuing relevance of classical and fictional designations as complementary resources for exploration planning and public engagement. By balancing ancient geography, mythology, fiction, and contemporary areography, the Encyclopedia and Atlas enrich interdisciplinary understanding of Mars as both a physical world and a cultural mirror, while providing a practical reservoir of names for future exploration and settlement.
Author: Gangale, Thomas
Language: English
Subfield: Space and Planetary Science
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7225568313