Balanchine is an impact crater on the planet Mercury. It possesses a ray system of slightly blue rays which inspired its name due to resembling the tutu in George Balanchine's Serenade.[1]
 MESSENGER image of Balanchine | |
| Feature type | Central-peak impact crater |
|---|---|
| Location | Raditladi quadrangle, Mercury |
| Coordinates | 38°28′N 184°29′W / 38.47°N 184.48°W |
| Diameter | 38 km |
| Eponym | George Balanchine |
Extensive hollows are present within Balanchine, as well as an associated dark spot.[2]
Balanchine lies in the northeast portion of the Caloris Basin. To its northeast is Nervo crater, and to its southeast March.
References edit
- ^ Ritzel, Rebecca (20 December 2012). "Ballet isn't rocket science, but the two aren't mutually exclusive, either". Washington Post. Washington DC, United States. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
- ^ Zhiyong Xiao, Robert G. Strom, David T. Blewett, Paul K. Byrne, Sean C. Solomon, Scott L. Murchie, Ann L. Sprague, Deborah L. Domingue, Jörn Helbert, 2013. Dark spots on Mercury: A distinctive low-reflectance material and its relation to hollows. Journal of Geophysical Research Planets. doi.org/10.1002/jgre.20115