Proctor (Martian crater)

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This article is about the crater on Mars. For the lunar crater, see Proctor (lunar crater).
Proctor
Proctor crater 094A45 094A47.jpg
Viking Orbiter 1 mosaic
PlanetMars
RegionNoachis Terra
Coordinates48°00′S 330°30′W / 48°S 330.5°W / -48; -330.5Coordinates: 48°00′S 330°30′W / 48°S 330.5°W / -48; -330.5
QuadrangleNoachis
EponymRichard A. Proctor

Proctor is a large crater in the Noachis quadrangle of Mars. It measures 168.2 kilometres (104.5 miles) in diameter and was named after Richard A. Proctor, a British astronomer (1837–1888).[1]

Dune fields[]

The crater contains a 35 x 65 km dark dune field.[2][3] It was one of the first sand dune fields ever recognized on Mars based on Mariner 9 images.[4] The crater's dunes are being monitored by HiRISE to identify changes over time.[5]

  • Topographical map showing location of Proctor crater and other nearby craters

  • Another Viking image of the dunes in Proctor and in nearby craters

  • Proctor crater transverse aeolian ridges and Dunes, as seen by HiRISE

  • HiRISE image of the crater with transverse aeolian ridges surrounding a large dune

  • The edge of a dark dune field on the floor of Proctor crater

  • Dune field on floor of Proctor crater, as seen by CTX camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

  • Close-up of dunes on floor of Proctor crater, as seen by CTX camera on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. This is an enlargement of part of previous image.

See also[]

  • List of craters on Mars: O-Z

References[]

  1. ^ "Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature | Proctor". usgs.gov. International Astronomical Union. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  2. ^ Fenton, L. K. (2005). "Seasonal Movement of Material on Dunes in Proctor Crater, Mars: Possible Present-Day Sand Saltation" (PDF). Lunar and Planetary Science XXXVI (2005).
  3. ^ Mary Chapman, ed. (2007). The Geology of Mars: Evidence from Earth-Based Analogs. Cambridge University Press. p. 250. ISBN 978-0-521-83292-2.
  4. ^ "Dune Activity in Proctor Crater". Mars Global Surveyor - Mars Orbiter Camera - MGS MOC Release No. MOC2-170. Malin Space Science Systems. 10 August 1999.
  5. ^ Bridges, Nathan (9 March 2009). "Sand Dunes and Ripples in Proctor Crater". HiRISE Operations Center.

External links[]

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