Generic / planet-specific terms

[Jarvitä]

In astronomy discussions, which do you prefer? For example, while the generic terms for the orbital apses are "periapsis" and "apoapsis", using planet-specific terms (eg, "Periareion", "Apocynthion", etc) can make a debate much clearer when discussing an interplanetary mission with several approaches, insertions and ejections.

Also, how do you feel about space agencies blatantly using Earth-specific terms for other planets? Using "Martian geology" instead of "Areology" just plain doesn't make any sense.

 

[Cras]

I prefer the planet-specific ones myself. I guess it is beause it is more specific, makes it clear where the orbit is, of course that assumes the person I am talking to understands the difference. Here that is not such a problem, but in real life, I find if I start using that kind of vocabulary, I get a lot of glazed looks, or the guy will pretend he understands.

And I do agree with you on the second part. I find it more so when media reports on space and they don't do diligence in researching the topic. They often do that with aviation as well, they always go on air with too little information and end up saying things that are just plain wrong, or jump to crazy conclusions and become almost reactionary.

 

[orb]

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planetary_geology"]Planetary geology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]:

Although the geo- prefix typically indicates topics of or relating to the Earth, planetary geology is named as such for historical and convenience reasons.

BTW, I prefer using periapsis and apoapsis.

 

[Jarvitä]

Although the geo- prefix typically indicates topics of or relating to the Earth, planetary geology is named as such for historical and convenience reasons.

Exactly. It doesn't make sense from a semantics perspective.

 

[Rtyh-12]

I prefer apoapsis and periapsis personally, but I guess that's because I only know a limited number of other planets' prefixes

 

[martins]

I prefer the generic terms, since they describe a physical property that is independent of the body it refers to. (I wonder why nobody ever bothered to invent new names for "altitude" depending on the planet it refers to ... - maybe "altogee"?)

 

[Hielor]

Exactly. It doesn't make sense from a semantics perspective.

Perhaps not, but that's the convention that has been established, and you'll get funny looks if you use the "right" term.

It's also about being understood. Most people will know what you mean if you say "Martian geology." Very few will know what you mean if you say "areology."

 

[C3PO]

Most people will know what you mean if you say "Martian geology." Very few will know what you mean if you say "areology."

Geology is a bit different from the astrological terms. One could argue that the 'geo' in geology is the word "earth" as in "land" or "ground", and not "the Earth" as "the planet Earth".

 

[orb]

One could argue that the 'geo' in geology is the word "earth" as in "land" or "ground", and not "the Earth" as "the planet Earth".

Yes, that's the case. It's meaning is as "ground", or "land", as also "earth":

As a prefix: geo- is taken from the Greek word γη or γαια meaning "earth", usually in the sense of "ground or land".

Similarly in Polish: "Earth" = "Ziemia"; "land" = "ziemia" "ląd"; "ground" = "ziemia" "grunt"; "soil" = "ziemia" "gleba";

 

[tblaxland]

I prefer the generic terms, since they describe a physical property that is independent of the body it refers to. (I wonder why nobody ever bothered to invent new names for "altitude" depending on the planet it refers to ... - maybe "altogee"?)

I can see your point. TBH, I don't really see a difference if someone says...
The transfer orbit will have a perigee of xxx km and a pericynthion of yyy km.
...or...
The transfer orbit will have a periapsis of xxx km at Earth, and yyy km at the Moon.
I think I have a slight preference for the former because of the impact of the use of those terms in Apollo-era literature.

As for "geology" vs "areology", I prefer geology.

BTW, since the "gee" in "perigee" is derived from the same source as the "geo" in "geology" (the Greek word "γη"), one could argue that perigee is valid for bodies other than Earth also. :shrug:

Anyway, it's English...use whatever you want. May the best word win! :thumbup: (You could also try and resolve it by Google Fight, which shows perigee and geology as the clear winners )

 

[Quick_Nick]

I'm quite happy with the generic terms. Or more commonly abbreviations since I rarely speak the terms.

 

[C3PO]

As for "geology" vs "areology", I prefer geology.

BTW, since the "gee" in "perigee" is derived from the same source as the "geo" in "geology" (the Greek word "γη"), one could argue that perigee is valid for bodies other than Earth also. :shrug:

I'd say "martian geology" makes more sense than "martian perigee". I use generic terms for the apses, even if I'm describing an Earth orbit. Perigee is the periapsis of an Earth orbit, and IMHO on Mars it would be either "Periapsis" or "Periareion".

But AFAIK there isn't a generic "ology" for geology:lol:, so I'm fine with "martian geology".