The International Astronomical Union (IAU) working group for Planetary System Nomenclature has approved the name ‘Statio Shiv Shakti’ for the landing site of Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander. The approval was given on March 19, 2024.
According to the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature, planetary nomenclature, like terrestrial nomenclature, is used to uniquely identify a feature on the surface of a planet or satellite so that it can be easily located, described, and discussed.
“This gazetteer contains detailed information about all names of topographic and albedo features on planets and satellites (and some planetary ring and ring-gap systems) that the IAU has named and approved from its founding in 1919 through the present time,” it states.
The IAU is the internationally recognised authority for assigning names to planetary surface features. It follows some rules and conventions to do so.
For example, Rule 4 states: “Solar system nomenclature should be international in its choice of names. Recommendations submitted to the IAU national committees will be considered, but final selection of the names is the responsibility of the International Astronomical Union. Where appropriate, the [working group] strongly supports an equitable selection of names from ethnic groups, countries, and gender on each map; however, a higher percentage of names from the country planning a landing is allowed on landing site maps.“
Name announced by PM Modi
The Astrogeology Science Centre of the U.S. Geological Survey maintains the Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature on behalf of the IAU with funding from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
On August 26, 2023 Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the point where the moon lander of Chandrayaan-3 touched down will be called ‘Shiv Shakti’.
“The point where the moon lander of Chandrayaan-3 landed will now be known as Shiv Shakti. In Shiv, there is resolution for the welfare of humanity and Shakti gives us strength to fulfil those resolutions. This Shiv Shakti point of the moon also gives a sense of connection with Himalaya to Kanyakumari,” Mr. Modi while announcing the name.
IAU’s Rule 9 states: “No names having political, military or religious significance may be used, except for names of political figures prior to the 19th century.“ The citation for the name in the Gazetteer reads: “Compound word from Indian mythology that depicts the masculine (“Shiva”) and feminine (“Shakti”) duality of nature; Landing site of Chandrayaan-3’s Vikram lander”.
Mr. Modi had earlier named the point at which the lander of the Chandrayaan-2 mission had crashed in September 2019 “Tiranga point”. Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam suggested the name “Jawahar Point” for where the Chandrayaan-1 moon impact probe landed in November 2008.
