Das (crater)

Das is a large impact crater located in the Oxia Palus quadrangle of Mars, situated at 11.4° North latitude and 178.5° West longitude. It measures approximately 172 kilometers in diameter. The crater is named after Hari Das, an Indian astronomer (1921-1985), a member of the International Astronomical Union.

Das crater is notable for displaying evidence of past fluvial activity, including possible paleolakes and fluvial channels. These features suggest that liquid water once flowed across the Martian surface in this region. The crater floor exhibits a variety of geological features, including layered deposits and impact melt, indicating a complex history of formation and subsequent modification. Investigations into the composition of the materials within Das crater are ongoing, with an emphasis on searching for evidence of hydrated minerals, which could provide insights into the duration and nature of past aqueous environments. The crater's size and relatively well-preserved features make it a valuable site for studying Martian impact cratering processes and the planet's geological history.