Rutherford (Martian crater)
 Topographic location of Rutherford Crater | |
| Planet | Mars |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 19°12′N 10°42′W / 19.2°N 10.7°WCoordinates: 19°12′N 10°42′W / 19.2°N 10.7°W |
| Diameter | 107.08 km |
| Eponym | Ernest Rutherford |
Rutherford is an impact crater on Mars. It is located the Oxia Palus quadrangle inside Arabia Terra at 19.2° N and 10.7° W. and measures approximately 107 kilometers in diameter. The crater was named after British physicist Ernest Rutherford in 1973.[1]
Description
Rutherford is located in between Trouvelot in the south-southwest and Becquerel to the north-northeast. East-southeast of Rutherford is the crater Radau and due west is Mawrth Vallis, a valley nearly running northwest to Chryse Planitia. More than 500 kilometers to the east is the Prime Meridian.
Some close up images of the crater show dunes and light-toned material. Light-toned rocks on Mars have been associated with hydrated minerals like sulfates. The Mars Rover Opportunity examined such layers close-up with several instruments. Scientists are excited about finding hydrated minerals such as sulfates and clays on Mars because they are usually formed in the presence of water.[2] Places that contain clays and/or other hydrated minerals would be good places to look for evidence of life.[3]
Gallery
Western side of Rutherford Crater, as seen by CTX camera (on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter). Light-toned deposits are visible.
Dunes on floor of Rutherford Crater, as seen by CTX camera (on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter). Note: this is an enlargement of the previous image.
Image of the Oxia Palus quadrangle (MC-11) where Rutherford is located.
See also
References
- ↑ "Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature | Rutherford". usgs.gov. International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 5 March 2015.
- ↑ "Target Zone: Nilosyrtis? | Mars Odyssey Mission THEMIS". Themis.asu.edu. Retrieved 2012-08-04.
- ↑ "HiRISE | Craters and Valleys in the Elysium Fossae (PSP_004046_2080)". Hirise.lpl.arizona.edu. Retrieved 2012-08-04.