Pantheon Fossae
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| Pantheon Fossae | |
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| Feature type | Fossae |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | |
| Eponym | Pantheon, Rome |
Pantheon Fossae is a region in the center of Caloris Basin on Mercury containing numerous radial graben (troughs) that appear to be extensional faults, with a 40 km crater located near the center of the pattern. The exact cause of this pattern of troughs is not currently known.[1] The feature was nicknamed "the Spider" before receiving its official name.[2]
The name is taken from the Pantheon in Rome, an ancient temple with a classic domed roof. The dome of the Pantheon has a series of sunken panels that radiate from a central circular opening at the top of the dome, and Mercury’s Pantheon Fossae is reminiscent of this pattern. Consequently, the crater near the center of Pantheon Fossae is now named Apollodorus, who is credited by some as being the architect of the Pantheon. MESSENGER scientists are debating whether Apollodorus played a role in the formation of Pantheon Fossae or whether the crater is simply from a later impact that occurred close to the center of the radial pattern.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Shiga, David. "Bizarre spider scar found on Mercury's surface", NewScientist.com news service, 30 January 2008.
- ^ a b MESSENGER: MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging
