Moreux (crater)
Moreux is a crater in the Ismenius Lacus quadrangle on Mars with a diameter of 138 kilometers. It is located at 42.1° north latitude and 315.6° west longitude and was named by IAU's Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature after Theophile Moreux, a French astronomer and meteorologist (1867–1954).[1]
.jpg.webp) Viking Orbiter image | |
| Planet | Mars |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 42.1°N 315.6°W |
| Quadrangle | Ismenius Lacus quadrangle |
| Diameter | 138 km |
| Eponym | Theophile Moreux |
Ismeniae Fossae are located to the west of Moreux.
Glaciers
Moreux's appearance has been shaped by the action of glaciers. Recent research, using a variety of images from various cameras, discovered extensive glacial modification of the surfaces of the rim, wall, and central peak. These changes were caused by the emplacement of ice-rich material when the climate underwent major changes.[2] The picture from HiRISE below shows possible kettles in Moreux Crater.
Viking Orbiter 2 mosaic
Moraines and kettle holes, as seen by HiRISE.
Western edge of Moreux crater, as seen by CTX (camera), on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Arrows indicate probable glacial moraines. Crater floor is to the right.
Wide, glacial valleys in Moreux crater, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program.
Glacier coming out of valley on the rim, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program.
Impact craters generally have a rim with ejecta around them, in contrast volcanic craters usually do not have a rim or ejecta deposits. As craters get larger (greater than 10 km in diameter) they usually have a central peak.[3] The peak is caused by a rebound of the crater floor following the impact.[4] Sometimes craters expose layers that were buried. Rocks from deep underground are tossed onto the surface. Hence, craters can show us what lies deep under the surface.
Dunes
Mars Express image of Moreux with its ring of dunes
Wide view of dunes, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
Enlarged view of dunes on the bottom of the previous image, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
Close view of one large dune from the same location, as seen by HiRISE under HiWish program
Close view of white spot among the dark dunes showing ripples and streaks
See also
References
- "Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature | Moreux". usgs.gov. International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
- Rishitosh K., S. Sinha, S. Murty. 2015. Amazonian modification of Moreux crater: Record of recent and episodic glaciation in the Protonilus Mensae region of Mars. Icarus 245:122-144.
- http://www.lpi.usra.edu/publications/slidesets/stones/
- Hugh H. Kieffer (1992). Mars. University of Arizona Press. ISBN 978-0-8165-1257-7. Retrieved 7 March 2011.