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Despréz (crater)

Coordinates: 81°06′N 101°12′W / 81.1°N 101.2°W / 81.1; -101.2
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Despréz
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MESSENGER image of Despréz
Feature typeCentral-peak impact crater
LocationBorealis quadrangle, Mercury
Coordinates81°06′N 101°12′W / 81.1°N 101.2°W / 81.1; -101.2
Diameter47.05 km (29.24 mi)
EponymJosquin des Prez
Oblique view of the crater's interior, illuminated by reflected light off the north wall

Despréz is a crater on Mercury with a diameter of 47.05 kilometers.[1] Its name was adopted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 1979. Despréz is named for the French composer Josquin des Prez, who lived from 1440 to 1521.[2]

Despréz has a region of permanent shadow along its southern rim, which has a bright radar signature. This is interpreted to represent a deposit of water ice.[3][4]

Radar-bright deposits near the north pole. Despréz is at far left.

References

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  1. ^ Moore, Patrick (2000). The Data Book of Astronomy. Institute of Physics Publishing. ISBN 0-7503-0620-3.
  2. ^ "Desprez". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. NASA. Retrieved 30 June 2012.
  3. ^ PIA19411: Water Ice on Mercury, NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington
  4. ^ John K. Harmon, Martin A. Slade, Melissa S. Rice, 2011. Radar imagery of Mercury’s putative polar ice: 1999–2005 Arecibo results. Icarus, 211, p37-50. doi.org/10.1016/j.icarus.2010.08.007