Krishnan Crater: IAU Names Mars Crater After M.S. Krishnan
Why in the news
The IAU accepted a proposal from two Kerala researchers to honour an Indian geology pioneer with a Martian crater, plus Kerala place names.
Key facts
- Crater: Krishnan Crater, billions of years old.
- Kerala names: Valiamala, Thumba, Bekal, Varkala, Periyar, for small craters and a vallis (valley).
Notable Mars craters
| Crater | Note |
|---|---|
| Gale | Curiosity Rover site; ancient water |
| Jezero | Perseverance Rover site; ancient river delta |
| Huygens | Large, eroded, southern hemisphere |
| Hellas Basin | One of the largest impact basins |
| Gusev | Spirit Rover; past water flows |
Exam angle
- Naming body: International Astronomical Union.