Amaral (crater)
Amaral is a crater on the planet Mercury. With its smooth floor, surrounding ejecta, and small secondary craters, it appears noticeably younger than the heavily cratered surface around it. Along with a smooth crater floor, Amaral also has a central peak. Bright material on this peak is of particular interest as it appears to have an unusual color. In color-enhanced images, the central peak of Amaral appears as a bright blue color in striking contrast to the otherwise orange tones of surface material nearby. The different color of the central peak likely indicates rocks with different chemical composition from those on the neighboring surface.[1]
 | |
| Planet | Mercury |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 26.4°S 242.3°W |
| Diameter | 105 km |
| Eponym | Tarsila do Amaral |
Amaral is the second-largest crater of the Kuiperian system on Mercury, at 105 km diameter, after Bartók at 118 km. It is followed by Tyagaraja crater.[2]
High resolution view of the interior, from MESSENGER
Oblique view at a low sun angle
Mosaic showing most of the crater at a high sun angle. Note the bright central peak complex.
Regional approximate color view with Amaral at right, showing its bright, extensive ray system.
References
- "messenger.jhuapl.edu". Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2009-06-14.
- Denevi, B. W., Ernst, C. M., Prockter, L. M., and Robinson, M. S., 2018. The Geologic History of Mercury. In Mercury: The View After MESSENGER edited by Sean C. Solomon, Larry R. Nittler, and Brian J. Anderson. Cambridge Planetary Science. Chapter 6, Table 6.4.
