But from time to time the IAU takes decisions and makes recommendations on issues concerning astronomical matters affecting other sciences or the public. The various IAU Working Groups normally handle this process, and their decisions primarily affect the professional astronomers. The IAU has been the arbiter of planetary and satellite nomenclature since its inception in 1919 (also see Resolution 13 of the Fourth United Nations Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names, held in Geneva in 1982). Naming of Solar System Objects and Features List of known names of Solar System objects, exoplanets, stars and stellar streams (14 August 2022). The purpose of nomenclature is to provide simple, clear, unambiguous names for features. Sometimes multi-word names are discouraged for this reason. If a name is difficult to spell or pronounce, it may not be the best choice for use on maps and in presentations. While the IAU is willing to help to achieve a minimum degree of orthographic consistency as regards astronomical terms, it cannot undertake to do so for all languages, nor is it in the power of the IAU to enforce the application of any such conventions. It is emphasized, however, that language conventions are the responsibility of individual nations or groups of nations.

'The Earth's equator' and 'Earth is a planet in the Solar System' are examples of correct spelling according to these rules. Union, volume 20B, 1989 Chapter 8, page S30 – PDF file) e.g., Earth, Sun, Moon, etc. The IAU formally recommends that the initial letters of the names of individual astronomical objects should be printed as capitals (see the IAU Style Manual, Trans.

Questions have been asked about the proper English spelling of names of astronomical objects, especially as regards capitalization of such names.

Naming Objects Outside the Solar System.

Satellites of Planets in the Solar System.

Naming of Solar System Objects and Features:.

In the following links you can find further information on how different objects and features are named. In 1982, the United Nations, at its 'Fourth Conference on the Standardization of Geographical Names' held in Geneva, recognized the role of the IAU by adopting its Resolution 13 on Extraterrestrial feature names (p.33). More recently IAU Committees or Working Groups have given or certified the names of astronomical objects and features. At its inaugural meeting in 1922 in Rome, the IAU standardized the constellation names and abbreviations. Celestial nomenclature has long been a controversial topic.

Celestial theme for word 2016