Kerala's Hidden Gems Shine Bright on Mars: IAU Names Martian Features After Local Researchers and Landmarks

Image Source: Internet

In a groundbreaking move, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) has approved the names of researchers and places from Kerala for seven geographic features on Mars. The list includes a 3.5-billion-year-old crater named after pioneering geologist M S Krishnan, who made history as the first Indian to serve as the Director of the Geological Survey of India in 1951. The IAU Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature has given the green light to the names Krishnan, Valiamala, Varkala, Thumba, Bekal, Krishnan Palus, and Periyar Vallis for these Martian features. According to the IAU's rules, large craters over 50 kilometers in diameter can be named after scientists who have significantly contributed to Mars research, while smaller craters can be named after small towns and villages worldwide. Valiamala, a town in the Thiruvananthapuram district, is home to the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, where researchers affiliated with the institute proposed the names for Martian landforms. The Valiamala crater is located west of the Krishnan crater, while the Varkala crater, named after the coastal municipality and suburb in Thiruvananthapuram, lies within the Krishnan crater. The Thumba crater, about 19 kilometers in diameter, is marked south-east of the Krishnan crater and is named after the birthplace of the Indian Space Research Organisation in 1962. The Bekal crater, under five kilometers in diameter, is located east of the Krishnan crater and is named after the town known for its 17th-century coastal fort. These approvals by the IAU mark a significant milestone in the history of planetary nomenclature and are set to feature on maps and publications worldwide.