What is the Name our Moon?

[Lord Chane]

Luna was the Roman goddess of the moon, so the name is appropriate if it is the official name. That would also mean that a term such as "lunar surface" would be a reference to the surface of our moon and not the surface of any moon.

[QBrigid]

Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
I think it is just "the Moon."

Are you sure Fyron, there maybe another name for the Moon.

[DavidG]

Isn't calling all natural satalites "moons" kind of like calling all photo copy machins Zerox machines? I though the name of our natural satellite was The Moon.

[General Woundwort]

Originally posted by Atrocities:

quote:

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Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
I think it is just "the Moon."

That would be like naming your cat, CAT

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As the great moral philosopher Gallagher said, why bother to name an animal that won't come when you call it?

[geoschmo]

It is Luna. Calling our moon "The Moon" is the same thing as calling our sun, Sol, "The Sun". It's not technically incorrect, but it's not actually scientifically specific. The identity of the moon in question depends on the context. As long as we are all on earth, "The Moon" will do, but if you ever go to Jupiter, asking for a cab ride to "The Moon" will probably get you a response, "Which moon buddy?"

It's like saying, "Let's go to The Mall." As long as everybody knows which shoppong mall you are talking about, you don't have to be more specific, but that's not really it's name.

"Lunar surface" simply means the surface of Luna. Calling the surface of other moons the lunar surface is not technically correct, although I have no doubt some will do it when we get to the point where we are dealing with the surfaces of other moons.

[ January 27, 2004, 11:21: Message edited by: geoschmo ]

[JurijD]

Actually you´re overly english-centrical guys. Our moon is simply called "The Moon".

"Luna" is the slavic (slovenian, croatian, serbian, polish, chech, slovak, russian, bulgarian etc. etc) (probably originates from latin or greek) word for Moon. So even if you say our "Moon" is named "Luna" that can only make sense if you are an english speaking person.
We call for instance Deimos a "Luna" of Mars.
To us its the same if you call it "Moon" or Luna.

And callion our sun "Sol" would be equaly funny as your english word "Sun" is just a translation of the roman/latin word "Sol" (or "Sonce" in most slavic Languages)

[ January 27, 2004, 11:32: Message edited by: JurijD ]

[dogscoff]

That would be like naming your cat, CAT

Or your snarf, SNARF.

Whatever the official or scientific names, in sci-fi where our moon is colonised it is very often referred to as Luna, and the sun as Sol. When reality eventually catches up with sci-fi, I very strongly suspect that those names will become the official ones. The evolution of language before our very eyes...