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Newton (Martian crater)
Encyclopedia
Newton is a large crater on Mars
, with a diameter close to 300 km. It is located south of the planet's equator in the heavily cratered highlands of Terra Sirenum
. The impact that formed Newton likely occurred more than 3 billion years ago. The crater contains smaller craters within its basin and is particularly notable for gully
formations that are presumed to be indicative of past liquid water flows. Many small channels exist in this area; they are further evidence of liquid water.
The crater was named in 1973 in honour of Sir Isaac Newton.
In 2011 it was announced that images captured by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
have suggested the presence of possible flowing water during the warmest months on Mars
, as shown in images taken of Newton Crater and Horowitz Crater among others.
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...
, with a diameter close to 300 km. It is located south of the planet's equator in the heavily cratered highlands of Terra Sirenum
Terra Sirenum
Terra Sirenum is a large region in the southern hemisphere of the planet Mars. It is centered at and covers 3900 km at its broadest extent. It covers latitudes 10 to 70 South and longitudes 110 to 180 W. Terra Sirenum is an upland area notable for massive cratering including the large Newton...
. The impact that formed Newton likely occurred more than 3 billion years ago. The crater contains smaller craters within its basin and is particularly notable for gully
Gully
A gully is a landform created by running water, eroding sharply into soil, typically on a hillside. Gullies resemble large ditches or small valleys, but are metres to tens of metres in depth and width...
formations that are presumed to be indicative of past liquid water flows. Many small channels exist in this area; they are further evidence of liquid water.
The crater was named in 1973 in honour of Sir Isaac Newton.
In 2011 it was announced that images captured by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter is a NASA multipurpose spacecraft designed to conduct reconnaissance and Exploration of Mars from orbit...
have suggested the presence of possible flowing water during the warmest months on Mars
Seasonal flows on warm Martian slopes
Observations from NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter have revealed possible flowing water during the warmest months on Mars. Research suggests that in the past there was liquid water flowing on the surface, creating large areas similar to Earth's oceans. However, the question remains as to where...
, as shown in images taken of Newton Crater and Horowitz Crater among others.