Mercury Craters Named after Tajik-Persian Poets: Planetary Nomenclature as a Form of Preserving Cultural Heritage
Journal: arXiv (Cornell University)
Year: 2026

Nine impact craters on Mercury bear the names of Persian-Tajik poets: Rudaki, Saadi, Nizami, Rumi, Navoi, Firdousi, Hafiz, Sanai, and Mahsati. We compile IAU-approved coordinates, diameters, quadrant designations, approval dates (1976--2025), and MESSENGER-derived geological characteristics for each crater, and place these data in the broader context of Solar System objects associated with Tajik-Persian civilisation, including lunar craters (Al-Biruni, Avicenna, Omar Khayyam, Abul Wafa, Nasiredd