Inktomi (crater)

Inktomi is a crater on the dwarf planet Ceres. It is named after Inktomi, a trickster spider spirit in Lakota mythology. The crater is located in the northern hemisphere of Ceres and is notable for its relatively pristine appearance and bright material within its interior. Its diameter is approximately 47 kilometers (29 miles).

Inktomi crater is considered a geologically young feature on Ceres. Analysis of the bright material within the crater suggests it may be composed of salts, possibly formed through cryovolcanic processes or impact events that exposed subsurface materials. The presence of these salts contributes to the crater's high albedo (reflectivity), making it easily visible in images of Ceres.

The formation of Inktomi crater, like other impact craters on Ceres, provides insights into the history of collisions in the asteroid belt and the processes that have shaped the surface of the dwarf planet over time. Data collected by the Dawn spacecraft has been crucial in characterizing Inktomi crater and understanding its composition and origin.