Hun Kal (crater)
Appearance
Hun Kal is a small crater on Mercury that serves as the reference point for the planet's system of longitude. The longitude of Hun Kal's center is defined as being 20° W, thus establishing the planet's prime meridian.[1]
Hun Kal was chosen as a reference point since the actual prime meridian was in shadow when Mariner 10 photographed the region, hiding any features near 0° longitude from view.
Hun Kal is about 1.5 km in diameter.[2]
The name "Hun Kal" means '20' in the language of the Maya.
References
- ^ "USGS Astrogeology: Rotation and pole position for the Sun and planets (IAU WGCCRE)". Retrieved 22 October 2009.
- ^ "Hun Kal". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology Research Program.