Xiao Zhao
MESSENGER image
PlanetMercury
Coordinates10°35′N 236°10′W / 10.58°N 236.16°W / 10.58; -236.16
QuadrangleEminescu
Diameter24 km (15 mi)
EponymXiao Zhao

Xiao Zhao crater is small in comparison with many other craters on Mercury. However, Xiao Zhao's long bright rays make it a readily visible feature. The fresh, bright rays, which were created by material ejected outward during the impact event that formed the crater, indicate that Xiao Zhao is a relatively young crater on Mercury's surface.[1]

Hollows are present within Xiao Zhao and on the ejecta blanket near the rim. A confirmed dark spot is present in Xiao Zhao.[2] This dark spot is associated with the hollows.

Xiao Zhao was named by the IAU in 2008 after the 12th-century Chinese painter Xiao Zhao.[3]

Xiao Zhao is located near Eastman crater.

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References

  1. ^ "MESSENGER: MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging". Messenger.jhuapl.edu. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
  2. ^ Zhiyong Xiao, Robert G. Strom, David T. Blewett, Paul K. Byrne, Sean C. Solomon, Scott L. Murchie, Ann L. Sprague, Deborah L. Domingue, Jörn Helbert, 2013. Dark spots on Mercury: A distinctive low-reflectance material and its relation to hollows. Journal of Geophysical Research Planets. doi.org/10.1002/jgre.20115
  3. ^ "Xiao Zhao". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. NASA. Retrieved 18 January 2020.


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