Martian crater Galle

E521505

Martian crater Galle is a large impact crater on Mars best known for its distinctive "smiley face" appearance in orbital images.

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Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form Occurrences
Galle (Martian crater) 0

Statements (31)

Predicate Object
instanceOf Martian surface feature
impact crater
coordinateSystem planetocentric coordinates
formationProcess asteroid or comet impact
hasApproximateDiameter ~230 km
hasCentralRegion relatively flat floor
hasEponymOccupation German astronomer
hasFeature dark curved ridge resembling a mouth
two darker circular features resembling eyes
hasGeologicContext Noachian-aged terrain vicinity
hasNickname happy face crater NERFINISHED
smiley face crater NERFINISHED
hasNotableAppearance resembles a smiley face in orbital images
hasRim well-defined crater rim
hasScientificInterest erosion and infilling of large Martian craters
impact processes on Mars
hasShape circular impact basin
imagedBy Mars Global Surveyor NERFINISHED
Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter NERFINISHED
Viking Orbiter NERFINISHED
influenced popular culture depictions of Mars
isFamousFor pareidolia effect producing a face-like pattern
locatedIn Argyre Planitia region NERFINISHED
southern hemisphere of Mars
locatedOn Mars NERFINISHED
nameApprovalYear 1973
nameApprovedBy International Astronomical Union NERFINISHED
namedAfter Johann Gottfried Galle NERFINISHED
observedIn infrared wavelengths
visible wavelengths
surfaceType cratered highland terrain

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Johann Galle commemoratedBy Martian crater Galle
subject surface form: Johann Gottfried Galle