EarthRef.org Reference Database (ERR)
Development and Maintenance by the EarthRef.org Database Team

Detailed Reference Information
Arkani-Hamed 2005
Arkani-Hamed, J. (2005). Giant impact basins trace the ancient equator of Mars. Journal of Geophysical Research 110: doi: 10.1029/2004JE002343. issn: 0148-0227.

It is shown in this paper that five giant impact basins of Mars, Argyre, Hellas, Isidis, Thaumasia, and Utopia, are located on a single great circle. This suggests that the projectiles' orbital planes coincided with the equator of Mars at the time of impact. The projectiles were larger fragments of a heliocentric asteroid that broke apart as it entered the Roche limit of Mars. The mass of the asteroid was at least ~9.8 ¿ 1020 kg, ~1.5 ¿ 10-3 times the mass of Mars.

BACKGROUND DATA FILES

Abstract

Keywords
Planetary Sciences, Solar System Objects, Mars, Planetary Sciences, Solid Surface Planets, Impact phenomena, cratering (6022, 8136), Mars rotation, polar wander of Mars, giant impacts of Mars, Bouguer anomalies of Mars, ancient equator of Mars
Journal
Journal of Geophysical Research
http://www.agu.org/journals/jb/
Publisher
American Geophysical Union
2000 Florida Avenue N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009-1277
USA
1-202-462-6900
1-202-328-0566
service@agu.org
Click to clear formClick to return to previous pageClick to submit