Proctor (Martian crater)

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]

This article is about the crater on Mars. For the lunar crater, see Proctor (lunar crater).
Proctor
Viking Orbiter 1 mosaic
PlanetMars
RegionNoachis Terra
Coordinates48°S 330.5°W / -48; -330.5
QuadrangleNoachis
EponymRichard A. Proctor

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
    Topographical map showing location of Proctor crater and other nearby craters
  • Another Viking image of the dunes in Proctor and in 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
    Proctor crater transverse aeolian ridges and Dunes, as seen by HiRISE
  • HiRISE image of the crater with transverse aeolian ridges surrounding a large dune
    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
    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.
    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.
    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

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.
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