Imhotep (crater)

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Imhotep
Imhotep crater MESSENGER WAC.jpg
MESSENGER WAC mosaic of Imhotep
Feature typeImpact crater
Location Kuiper quadrangle, Mercury
Coordinates 17°58′S37°29′W / 17.97°S 37.48°W / -17.97; -37.48
Diameter159 km (99 mi)
Eponym Imhotep

Imhotep is a crater on Mercury. It has a diameter of 159 kilometers. [1] Its name was adopted by the International Astronomical Union in 1976. Imhotep is named for the Ancient Egyptian architect Imhotep, who lived from 2686 to 2613 BCE. [2]

Imhotep is southwest of the bright crater Kuiper, and south of Ravel.

References

  1. Moore, Patrick (2000). The Data Book of Astronomy. Institute of Physics Publishing. ISBN   0-7503-0620-3.
  2. "Imhotep". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. IAU/NASA/USGS . Retrieved 10 October 2024.