Acidalia Planitia
Encyclopedia
Acidalia Planitia is a plain
on Mars
. It is located between the Tharsis
volcanic province and Arabia Terra
to the north of Valles Marineris
, centered at 46.7°N 338.0°W. The plain contains the famous Cydonia
region at the contact with the heavily cratered highland terrain.
The plain is named after a corresponding albedo feature
on a map by Giovanni Schiaparelli
, which was in turn named after the mythological fountain of Acidalia.
Plain
In geography, a plain is land with relatively low relief, that is flat or gently rolling. Prairies and steppes are types of plains, and the archetype for a plain is often thought of as a grassland, but plains in their natural state may also be covered in shrublands, woodland and forest, or...
on Mars
Mars
Mars is the fourth planet from the Sun in the Solar System. The planet is named after the Roman god of war, Mars. It is often described as the "Red Planet", as the iron oxide prevalent on its surface gives it a reddish appearance...
. It is located between the Tharsis
Tharsis
The Tharsis region on Mars is a vast volcanic plateau centered near the equator in Mars’ western hemisphere. The region is home to the largest volcanoes in the Solar System, including the three enormous shield volcanoes Arsia Mons, Pavonis Mons, and Ascraeus Mons, which are collectively known as...
volcanic province and Arabia Terra
Arabia Terra
Arabia Terra is a large upland region in the north of Mars in that lies mostly in the Arabia quadrangle. It is densely cratered and heavily eroded. This battered topography indicates great age, and Arabia Terra is presumed to be one of the oldest terrains on the planet...
to the north of Valles Marineris
Valles Marineris
Valles Marineris is a system of canyons that runs along the Martian surface east of the Tharsis region...
, centered at 46.7°N 338.0°W. The plain contains the famous Cydonia
Cydonia (Mars)
Cydonia is a region on the planet Mars, and has attracted both scientific and popular interest. The name originally referred to the albedo feature that was visible from Earthbound telescopes...
region at the contact with the heavily cratered highland terrain.
The plain is named after a corresponding albedo feature
Albedo feature
An albedo feature is a large area on the surface of a planet which shows a contrast in brightness or darkness with adjacent areas....
on a map by Giovanni Schiaparelli
Giovanni Schiaparelli
Giovanni Virginio Schiaparelli was an Italian astronomer and science historian. He studied at the University of Turin and Berlin Observatory. In 1859-1860 he worked in Pulkovo Observatory and then worked for over forty years at Brera Observatory...
, which was in turn named after the mythological fountain of Acidalia.