# selenography

> study of the surface and shape of the Moon

**Wikidata**: [Q1409625](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1409625)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selenography)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/selenography

## Summary
Selenography is the academic study of the surface and shape of the Moon. It functions as a specialized discipline within the broader field of planetary science, focusing specifically on lunar physical characteristics. Also known by the aliases selenodesy, lunar geography, and geography of the Moon, this field encompasses the cartographic and scientific examination of the Moon's topography.

## Key Facts
- Selenography is formally classified as an academic discipline and a profession.
- It is a sub-field of planetary science, the study of planets and astronomical objects orbiting stars.
- The primary aliases for selenography are selenodesy, lunar geography, and geography of the Moon.
- The entity has a Wikipedia title of "Selenography" and a Wikidata sitelink count of 39.
- Notable figures in the field include German astronomer Tobias Mayer and Czech cartographer Antonín Rükl (1932–2016).

## FAQs
**What is the primary focus of selenography?**
Selenography is dedicated to the study of the Moon's surface and shape, serving as the lunar equivalent of geography.

**What broader scientific field does selenography belong to?**
It is a component of planetary science, which is the science of planets and other astronomical objects in orbit around stellar objects.

**Who are significant historical figures associated with this discipline?**
Key individuals include Tobias Mayer, a German astronomer, and Antonín Rükl, a Czech cartographer known for his work in the 20th century.

**What are alternative names for the study of the Moon?**
The field is frequently referred to as selenodesy, lunar geography, or the geography of the Moon.

## Why It Matters
Selenography provides the essential framework for mapping and understanding the physical features of the Moon. As a distinct academic discipline, it allows scientists and researchers to categorize lunar topography, which is fundamental for both theoretical astronomy and practical exploration. By establishing the geometry and geography of the Moon, this field supports the broader goals of planetary science to understand celestial bodies orbiting stars.

## Notable For
- Being the specific branch of planetary science concerned exclusively with the Moon's surface and shape.
- Encompassing the sub-discipline of selenodesy, which deals with the measurement and geometric figure of the Moon.
- Serving as the formal academic designation for lunar geography and cartography.

## Body

### Definition and Classification
Selenography is defined as the study of the surface and shape of the Moon. It is categorized as an "academic discipline," representing a formal field of study or profession. The entity is recognized under the Wikipedia title "Selenography" and possesses a Wikidata sitelink count of 39. The discipline is known by several aliases, including selenodesy, lunar geography, and the geography of the Moon, all of which describe the same focus on lunar physical characteristics.

### Scientific Context
As a field of study, selenography falls under the umbrella of planetary science. Planetary science is defined as the science of planets and other astronomical objects apparently in orbit around one or more stellar objects. This parent category has a sitelink count of 75, reflecting its broad scope. Within this hierarchy, selenography serves as the specific domain dedicated to the Earth's moon.

### Notable Figures
The development and practice of selenography involve contributions from various key individuals identified in the knowledge base:

*   **Tobias Mayer**
    *   A German astronomer recognized as a Person entity related to this field.
    *   His professional profile includes multiple occupation identifiers: , , , , and .
    *   He held citizenship in .
    *   Mayer has a documented sitelink count of 31.

*   **Antonín Rükl**
    *   A Czech cartographer who lived from 1932 to 2016.
    *   His work is associated with the occupations identified by codes , , , and .
    *   He held citizenship in .
    *   Rükl has a sitelink count of 11.

### Related Entities
Beyond its parent field of planetary science, selenography is closely associated with the general concept of an "academic discipline." This related concept (Thing) is defined as an academic field of study or profession and holds a sitelink count of 50, indicating its frequent use across the knowledge graph to describe similar fields of inquiry.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013