 Bernard crater based on day-timeTHEMIS image | |
| Planet | Mars |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 23°24′S154°12′W / 23.4°S 154.2°W /-23.4; -154.2 |
| Quadrangle | Memnonia |
| Diameter | 128 km |
| Eponym | P. Bernard, a French atmospheric scientist |
Bernard is a large crater in theMemnonia quadrangle ofMars, 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.
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