Dawes (Martian crater)

For the crater on the Moon, see Dawes (lunar crater).

Dawes Crater

Location of Dawes Crater.
Planet	Mars
Region	Sinus Sabaeus quadrangle
Coordinates	9.2°S 38°E / -9.2; 38[1]
Quadrangle	Sinus Sabaeus
Diameter	191 km
Eponym	William Rutter Dawes

Dawes Crater is located in the Sinus Sabaeus quadrangle of Mars, at 9.2 S and 38 E.^[1] It is about 191 km (119 mi) in diameter, and was named after 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

• 
  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

1. "Dawes". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology Research Program.
2. Glasstone, S. (1968). The Book of Mars. Washington D.C.: NASA..
3. "Stones, Wind, and Ice: A Guide to Martian Impact Craters".
4. Hugh H. Kieffer (1992). Mars. University of Arizona Press. ISBN 978-0-8165-1257-7. Retrieved 7 March 2011.