Phidias (crater)

Coordinates: 8°42′N 149°18′W / 8.7°N 149.3°W / 8.7; -149.3
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Phidias
Mariner 10 image with Phidias at center
PlanetMercury
Coordinates8°42′N 149°18′W / 8.7°N 149.3°W / 8.7; -149.3
QuadrangleTolstoj
Diameter100 km (62 mi)
EponymPhidias
Approximate color image of Phidias (upper left), Tyagaraja (lower left), and Balzac (upper right) craters, from MESSENGER WAC

Phidias is a crater on Mercury. It has a diameter of 100 kilometers.[1] Its name was adopted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 1976. Phidias is named for the Greek artist Phidias, who lived from 490 to 430 BCE.[2]

Nearby craters include Balzac to the east and Tyagaraja to the south.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Moore, Patrick (2000). The Data Book of Astronomy. Institute of Physics Publishing. ISBN 0-7503-0620-3.
  2. ^ "Phidias". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. NASA. Retrieved 13 July 2012.