 Location of Dawes Crater. | |
| Planet | Mars |
|---|---|
| Region | Sinus Sabaeus quadrangle |
| Coordinates | 9°12′S38°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 theSinus Sabaeus quadrangle ofMars, at 9.2 S and 38 E.[1] It is about 191 km (119 mi) in diameter, and was named afterWilliam 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.
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