 Photo of Hokusai byMESSENGER | |
| Feature type | Peak-ring impact basin |
|---|---|
| Location | Hokusai quadrangle,Mercury |
| Coordinates | 58°18′N342°18′W / 58.3°N 342.3°W /58.3; -342.3 |
| Diameter | 95 km (59 mi) |
| Eponym | Katsushika Hokusai[1] |
Hokusai is a rayedimpact crater onMercury, which was discovered in 1991 by ground-basedradar observations conducted atGoldstone Observatory.[2] The crater was initially known asfeature B. Its appearance was so dissimilar to other impact craters that it was once thought to be ashield volcano. However, improved radar images by theArecibo Observatory obtained later in 2000–2005 clearly showed that feature B is an impact crater with an extensiveray system. The bright appearance of rays in the radio images indicates that the crater is geologically young; fresh impact ejecta has a rough surface, which leads to strong scattering of radio waves.[2]
Hokusai is named afterKatsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), a Japanese artist and printmaker of theEdo period.[3][1] The name Hokusai was suggested by radar astronomer John K. Harmon.[4] The crater has a diameter of about 100 km; the rays extend for thousands kilometers, covering much of the northern hemisphere.[5]
Hokusai is the fourth-largest crater of theKuiperian system on Mercury. The largest isBartók crater.[6] Hokusai is one of 110peak ring basins on Mercury.[7]
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| Print series and collections |
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| Paintings |
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| Related | |
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