Slightly oval crater with ejecta in the shape of butterfly wings
Slightly oval crater with ejecta in the shape of butterfly wings
This perspective view shows a crater in the Idaeus Fossae region on Mars, which is slightly elliptical with diameters of 20 kilometres and 15 kilometres. This distinguishes it from the mostly circular impact craters on the surfaces of Earth-like planets with solid crusts. This suggests an impact at a shallow angle of five to ten degrees relative to the surface. The ejecta material is predominantly deposited on both sides of the crater, transverse to the direction of flight. This is reminiscent of the shape of butterfly wings.
