Dawes (Martian crater)
 Location of Dawes Crater. | |
| Planet | Mars |
|---|---|
| Region | Sinus Sabaeus quadrangle |
| Coordinates | 9°12′S 38°00′E / 9.2°S 38°E[1] |
| Quadrangle | Sinus Sabaeus |
| Diameter | 191 km |
| Eponym | William Rutter Dawes |
Dawes Crater is located in the
William R. Dawes, a British astronomer (1799–1868)[1] who was ahead of his time in believing that Mars only had a thin atmosphere. Dawes presumed that the atmosphere of Mars was thin because surface markings on the planet could easily be seen.[2]
Description
Impact craters generally have a rim with ejecta around them, in contrast volcanic craters usually do not have a rim or ejecta deposits. As craters get larger (greater than 10 km in diameter) they usually have a central peak.[3] The peak is caused by a rebound of the crater floor following the impact.[4] Sometimes craters expose layers that were buried. Rocks from deep underground are tossed onto the surface. Hence, craters can show us what lies deep under the surface.
Gallery
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Part of Dawes Crater showing eroding wall on left and dunes on crater floor on the right. Picture taken with CTX camera (on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter). -
Dawes Crater floor with fresh impact craters -
Quadrangle map of Sinus Sabaeus labeled with major features
See also
- List of craters on Mars: A-G
References
- ^ a b c "Dawes". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology Research Program.
- Washington D.C.: NASA..
- ^ "Stones, Wind, and Ice: A Guide to Martian Impact Craters".
- ISBN 978-0-8165-1257-7. Retrieved 7 March 2011.
