Location of Dawes Crater.
| |
| Planet | Mars |
|---|---|
| Region | Sinus Sabaeus quadrangle |
| Coordinates | 9°12′S 38°00′E / 9.2°S 38°E / -9.2; 38[1] |
| Quadrangle | Sinus Sabaeus |
| Diameter | 191 km |
| Eponym | William Rutter Dawes |
Dawes Crater is located in the Sinus Sabaeus quadrangleofMars, at 9.2 S and 38 E.[1] It is about 191 km (119 mi) in diameter, and was named after William R. Dawes, a British astronomer (1799–1868)[1] who was ahead of his time in believing that Mars only had a thin atmosphere. Dawes presumed that the atmosphere of Mars was thin because surface markings on the planet could easily be seen.[2]
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.
