Mars Places #12: Airy Crater

in #hive-1847248 days ago

Airy Crater

Description:
Airy Crater is a 43 km diameter impact feature in the Meridiani region, notable for defining the Martian prime meridian. Formed in the Amazonian era, its floor has layered rocks and small dunes, with a smaller crater Airy-0 on its rim used as the longitude reference point since 2000.

How I Got My Name: Named after Sir George Biddell Airy, British Astronomer Royal who established Earth's prime meridian.

Interesting Fact: Airy-0 serves as Mars' 'Greenwich,' fixing longitude for mapping; Opportunity rover passed nearby, imaging similar hematite-bearing rocks indicating past water in the region.

Location: Centered at 5.1° S, 0.1° E, 43 km diameter.

Airy Crater