Velázquez (crater)
 Exaggerated color MESSENGER WAC image | |
| Feature type | Impact crater |
|---|---|
| Location | Victoria quadrangle, Mercury |
| Coordinates | 37°35′N 55°26′W / 37.59°N 55.43°W |
| Diameter | 128 km (80 mi) |
| Eponym | Diego Velázquez |
Velázquez is a crater on Mercury. It has a diameter of 128 kilometres (80 miles). Its name was adopted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 1979. Velázquez is named for the Spanish painter Diego Velázquez.[1] The crater was first imaged by Mariner 10 in 1974.[2]
The ancient crater Hugo is east of Velázquez. To the south is Kuan Han-Chʻing, and to the southwest is Jobim.
Hollows
Hollows are present on and around the central peak complex of Velázquez crater. They were well-imaged by MESSENGER.[3]
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Hollows on and around the central peak complex are visible in lower right. -
Detail of some of the hollows, including one of the very high-resolution images acquired near the end of the MESSENGER mission when the spacecraft was at a low altitude. -
Another view of hollows within the crater
References
- ^ "Velázquez". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. NASA. Retrieved 4 March 2022.
- ^ Davies, M. E.; Dwornik, S. E.; Gault, D. E.; Strom, R. G. (1978). Atlas of Mercury. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. pp. 1–128. ISBN 978-1-114-27448-8. Special Publication SP-423.
- ^ Hawaiian Hollows, Release Date: November 6, 2012. NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington.
