Talk:Lunar Regolith

What use of "Lunar Soil" is a misnomer? According to a definition in Merriam-Webster's Dictionary any unconsolidated material on the surface of a planet is soil.--Farred 05:59, 13 October 2008 (UTC)

• According to Wikipedia:"Lunar soil is the fine regolith found on the surface of the Moon." Wikipedia notes:"Some have argued that the term 'soil' is not correct in reference to the Moon because soil is defined as having organic content, whereas the Moon has none. However, standard usage among lunar scientists is to ignore that distinction." Whose definition is it that opposes a dictionary definition?--Farred 06:37, 13 October 2008 (UTC)

Merriam Webster is blatantly incorrect in this case, and I wouldn't exactly call Wikipedia a reliable source. The general geologic definition of soil requires that regolith must have been so modified by chemical and biological processes that it is capable of supporting life. Some lunar/planetary scientists may disregard the difference. I know one who all but reams any students who do. Regardless, the terms refer to the same thing and are described within the same article. Regolith is the more accurate term. - Jarogers2001 06:12, 14 October 2008 (UTC)