Vālmiki is an impact crater on the planet Mercury. Its name was formally adopted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 1976, and it is named after the ancient Indian poet and sage Valmiki, traditionally regarded as the author of the Hindu epic Ramayana.
Location and Physical Characteristics
Vālmiki is located in the Michelangelo quadrangle of Mercury, at coordinates 23.58°S, 141.41°W. It has a diameter of approximately 210 km (130 mi), making it one of the larger impact features on the planet. The crater is classified as one of 110 identified peak ring basins on Mercury, a type of impact structure characterized by an inner ring of peaks in addition to the outer crater rim.
Regional Context
Vālmiki lies between two large, ancient craters: Tolstoj to the west and Beethoven to the east. To the southwest of Vālmiki is the crater Gogol, and to the southeast is the crater Bartók.
References
- "Vālmiki". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. NASA. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- Chapman, C. R., Baker, D. M. H., Barnouin, O. S., Fassett, C. I., Marchie, S., Merline, W. J., Ostrach, L. R., Prockter, L. M., and Strom, R. G., 2018. "Impact Cratering of Mercury." In Mercury: The View After MESSENGER, edited by Sean C. Solomon, Larry R. Nittler, and Brian J. Anderson. Cambridge Planetary Science. Chapter 9.
