The term Geology [gē: ‘earth’; logia: ‘study of’, ‘discourse’] encompasses various aspects of the study of solid Earth. It includes: study of rocks of which the Earth is composed, and the processes by which they change over the period of time; study of plant and animal fossils indicating the kind of life forms that existed in the past; study of energy resources, e.g. coal, oil and variety of minerals; and also study of environment, climate change, and natural hazards like landslides, volcanoes, earthquakes, and floods.
However, with the man’s stepping over Moon followed by study of various aspects of Moon rocks, the term “Geology of Moon” or “Lunar Geology” came into use. The terms Selenology and Selenography are also used for some kind of studies on Moon. Whether the time has now to coin a new term for the study of Moon rocks?
We, my collegues and me, have done the same question during our dicussion. A new term or a similar to earth term? Or perhaps Moon-logy? But the term exists. For what concern th study of physical features of Moon the right term is Selenology (Study of Moon). Selene was the ancient greek name of Moon. We have written a paper where we speak about Selenology, actually the paper is accepted and we are waiting for pubblication.
Since I'm a "plant epidemiologist" I'm probably not a good person to ask.
Dear Saxena: definitely the appropiate term for the study of the Moon rocks, surface and interior should be selenology; and for Mars, by the way.., areology (Mars for the Greek was Ares, Antares got its name being a red supergiant whose color rivalled that of Mars in the sky!!!
Regards, Sebastián
If it is strictly to study the rocks of the moon ..then we may say Lunar Lithology
Dear R. K. Saxena,
If you want to give a good name of Moon processes… You have gotten excellent responses from Sebastián and Andrea… So the correct terminology should be used: selenology or Lunalogy (from the Latin: Luna=Moon and Logos= science)…
Regards,
Laszlo
If a new name will be coined for each astro under study, a general name is needed too. I think Geology is OK though the prefix GEO. It is believed that the same mechanisms of rocks formation happen wherever in the universe.
So the study of rocks here or in other system is basicaly the same subject under new boundary conditions.
For strange grammatical reasons, you have to say "the Moon" with "the" always preceding. Just saying "geology of moon" isn't correct, despite being able to say "geology of Earth" or "geology of Mars" etc. Anyways, both terms you wrote are correct, it just depends if you have already used "of the/to the" in the sentence you are writing. For example if you write "I study the magnetic properties of the geology of the moon" it would be better to say "I study the magnetic properties of lunar geology" (or also "the Moon's geology" if you want). This takes out repetitions of "of the" in the sentence. I would argue a new term would just over complicate planetary geology in general. This ambiguity already exists with Mars and the rest of the planets and their moons. So if a new term was created for lunar geology, then what about martian geology, etc? Furthermore, the Greek prefix "geo" means "earth" in the sense of "land" or "ground". The actual planet Earth is called "Gaia" in Greek, so technically there isn't a problem combining "geology" with names of other planets/moons because it doesn't strictly mean "Earth" the planet.
Dear Rogerio Parra,
Resolution exists for a general term: Rockplanetology...
Regard,
Laszlo
Dear Author,
Geo=Earth, Logos=Science. Geology
Moon=Selena, Logos=Science. Selenology
Regards
Sandu
I agree with Gene Schmidt’s discussion. I also think naming the study of rocks or other features from every planet, moon, dwarf planet, planetesimal and asteroid by tacking on a source prefix to “ology” is getting out of hand. The geo- prefix is generally understood to be soil or ground (per Merriam-Webster), or ground or land (per Wikipedia). I understand this to be a generic term and not Earth specifically. Before we start cutting up names to join with -ology, we need to think about it - Ceresology or a modified name like Cereology. What are the protocols? What about the moon Deimos? I think the geology of Deimos or Deimos’ geology is understood but not necessarily “ology” made from it. The general public (and me) will understand the term “geology of Deimos” better than the “ology” made from it. There are many studies, or -ologies, in science and there is a need to clearly differentiate the geological aspects.
The term selenogeology would be better. The term already exists (NASA). Selenology is a too generic a term as it can refer to "science of the moon" and more astronomical aspects.
Dear Terry: I'm afraid you're wrong! Just as gea and logos make up the term geology, selene and logos make up the term selenology, no need to add "gea" to selene, as it is very confusing. Regards, Sebastian.
Dear Terry: I'm afraid you're wrong! Just as gea and logos make up the term geology, selene and logos make up the term selenology, no need to add "gea" to selene, as it is very confusing. Regards, Sebastian.
Dear Terry: I'm afraid you're wrong! Just as gea and logos make up the term geology, selene and logos make up the term selenology, no need to add "gea" to selene, as it is very confusing. Regards, Sebastian.
Dear Terry: I'm afraid you're wrong! Just as "gea" and "logos" make up the term geology, "selene" and "logos" make up the term selenology, no need to add "gea" or "geo" to selene, as it is very confusing. Regards, Sebastian.
Dear Terry: I'm afraid you're wrong! Just as "gea" and "logos" make up the term geology, "selene" and "logos" make up the term selenology, no need to add "gea" or "geo" to selene, as it is very confusing. Regards, Sebastian.
Sorry, I have to disagree. Just adding an "ology" suffix does not make it geology. That conveys a general science. The main definition of selenology is astronomy of the moon. How do you differentiate that from the pure geology of the moon. The term selenogeology that NASA and others have used is specific to geology and excludes other sciences that may study the moon. I do realize selenology is sometimes used now but the meaning is less clear.
https://www.coursehero.com/file/69585204/Lab-7-Geology-of-the-Moon-and-Marsdocx/