![]() Bernard crater based on day-time
THEMIS image | |
Planet | Mars |
---|---|
Coordinates | 23°24′S 154°12′W / 23.4°S 154.2°W |
Quadrangle | Memnonia |
Diameter | 128 km |
Eponym | P. Bernard, a French atmospheric scientist |
Bernard is a large crater in the Memnonia quadrangle of Mars, located at 23.4° south latitude and 154.2° west longitude. It is 128 km in diameter and was named after P. Bernard, a French atmospheric scientist. [1] The floor of the crater contains large cracks, which may be due to erosion.
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. [2] The peak is caused by a rebound of the crater floor following the impact. [3] If one measures the diameter of a crater, the original depth can be estimated with various ratios. Because of this relationship, researchers have found that many Martian craters contain a great deal of material; much of it is believed to be ice deposited when the climate was different. [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.