![]() MESSENGER image, with north at the bottom | |
Planet | Mercury |
---|---|
Coordinates | 81°16′S 185°17′W / 81.26°S 185.29°W |
Quadrangle | Bach |
Diameter | 83.16 km (51.67 mi) |
Eponym | Scopas |
Scopas is a crater on Mercury, near the south pole. Its name was adopted by the International Astronomical Union in 1976, after the ancient Greek sculptor and architect Scopas,[1] following the official convention of naming craters on Mercury after historically significant artists, musicians, painters, and authors.[2]
Two smaller, unnamed craters overlie Scopas crater itself. The northern rims of these craters are in permanent shadow.[3]
Ictinus crater is immediately to the northeast of Scopas.