'UP, Bihar on Mars': Scientists names two craters on Red Planet after Indian towns
Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Discovery by PRL Scientists
Scientists from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, India, have discovered three new craters on Mars.
IAU Naming Approval
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has approved naming these craters after a former PRL director and two small Indian towns.
Location of the Craters
The craters are situated in the Tharsis volcanic region on Mars, around 21.0°S, 209°W.
Credit: NASA/MGS/MOLA Science Team, FU Berlin
Lal Crater
The largest crater, 65 km wide, is named "Lal Crater" in honour of Prof. Devendra Lal, a renowned Indian geophysicist and former PRL Director. Lal made significant contributions to cosmic ray physics and planetary science.
Mursan Crater
The 10 km wide "Mursan Crater" is superimposed on the eastern rim of Lal Crater. It is named after a town in Uttar Pradesh, India, which is the birthplace of PRL's current director, Dr. Anil Bharadwaj.
Hilsa Crater
Another 10 km wide crater, named "Hilsa Crater," overlaps the western rim of Lal Crater. It is named after a town in Bihar, India, the birthplace of Dr. Rajeev Ranjan Bharti, a PRL scientist who was part of the discovery team.
Scientific Significance
The discovery holds substantial scientific importance. Radar data from NASA's SHARAD instrument on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter revealed a 45-meter thick sedimentary deposit beneath Lal Crater, indicating that water once flowed on Mars.
Insights from Smaller Craters
The smaller craters, Mursan and Hilsa, provide insights into the episodic nature and timeline of sediment deposition in Lal Crater.
Implications for Martian History
"This discovery confirms that Mars was once wet and water flowed on its surface," said Dr. Anil Bhardwaj, Director of PRL. The findings, published in the Astrophysical Journal, are a significant step in understanding Mars' geological history and potential for harbouring life. The crater names have been officially recognized by the IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature.