 MESSENGER NAC with Vazov below center | |
| Planet | Mercury |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 65°24′S212°20′W / 65.4°S 212.33°W |
| Quadrangle | Neruda |
| Diameter | 33.0 km (20.5 mi) |
| Eponym | Ivan Vazov |
Vazov is a crater on Mercury. Its name was adopted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 2020. The crater is named for Bulgarian poet Ivan Vazov. [1]
There are two irregular depressions in the crater floor, which may be volcanic vents.
The scarps of Altair Rupes are to the southeast of Vazov crater.
Planetary nomenclature, like terrestrial nomenclature, is a system of uniquely identifying features on the surface of a planet or natural satellite so that the features can be easily located, described, and discussed. Since the invention of the telescope, astronomers have given names to the surface features they have discerned, especially on the Moon and Mars. To found an authority on planetary nomenclature, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) was organized in 1919 to designate and standardize names for features on Solar System bodies.
Aratus is a small lunar impact crater located on the highland to the south and east of the rugged Montes Apenninus range. It is a circular, cup-shaped crater with a relatively high albedo. It was named after Greek astronomer Aratus of Soli. To the east is the Mare Serenitatis, and to the southwest is the somewhat larger crater Conon. North-northeast of Aratus is the landing site of the Apollo 15 mission, just beyond Mons Hadley Delta.
de Gerlache is a lunar impact crater that is located along the southern limb of the Moon, within a crater diameter of Shackleton at the south pole. From the Earth this crater is seen from the edge, and it lies in perpetual darkness. Thus little or no detail can be seen of this crater, other than the edge of the rim. However, the crater is clearly visible in Earth-based radar images. The crater is roughly circular, with some slight wear. No craters of note overlie the rim, although some formations may be attached to the southern and western edges.
Zola is a crater on Mercury. The crater was named after the French novelist and playwright Émile Zola by the IAU in 1979.
Matisse is an impact crater on the southern hemisphere of Mercury. Matisse takes its name from the French artist Henri Matisse, and it was named by the IAU in 1976.
Raphael is a crater on Mercury. Its name was adopted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 1976, and is named for the Italian painter Raphael.
Homer is a crater on Mercury. It is one of 110 peak ring basins on Mercury.
Verdi is an impact crater on the planet Mercury. It was named after Italian Romantic composer Giuseppe Verdi (1813–1901) in 1979, as recognized by the International Astronomical Union. The crater's extensive ejecta blanket and secondary crater field are superposed on plains materials and older craters.
Matabei is an impact crater on Mercury. It has a set of dark rays. Dark rays are rare on Mercury, but other occurrences have been identified, such as at Mozart crater. Mozart crater is interpreted to have excavated dark material from depth during the impact event, creating dark streamers. The dark rays from Matabei may have a similar origin.
Janáček is a crater on Mercury. It has a diameter of 47 kilometers. Its name was adopted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 1985. Janáček is named for the Czech composer Leoš Janáček, who lived from 1854 to 1928. The MESSENGER Mercury orbiter crashed near the crater on 30 April 2015.
Jókai is a crater on Mercury. Its name was adopted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 1979. Jokai is named for the Hungarian novelist Mór Jókai, who lived from 1825 to 1904.
Mistral is a crater on Mercury. Its name was adopted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 1976. Mistral is named for the Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral, who lived from 1889 to 1957.
Wagner is an impact crater in the south polar region of the planet Mercury. It was named after the German composer Richard Wagner (1813–1883) in 1976, as recognized by the International Astronomical Union. It is located in the Bach quadrangle, between Bach and Chopin.
Karsh is a crater on Mercury. It has a diameter of 58 kilometers. Its name was suggested by American resident Elizabeth Freeman Rosenzweig in a naming contest which was eventually adopted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) on 2015. Karsh is named for the Armenian-Canadian photographer Yousuf Karsh. The craters Carolan, Enheduanna, Kulthum, and Rivera were also named as part of the contest.
 | This article about the planet Mercury is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
