Hokusai (crater)
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 Photo of Hokusai by MESSENGER | |
| Feature type | Peak-ring impact basin |
|---|---|
| Location | Hokusai quadrangle, Mercury |
| Coordinates | 58°18′N 342°18′W / 58.3°N 342.3°W |
| Diameter | 95 km (59 mi) |
| Eponym | Katsushika Hokusai[1] |
Hokusai is a rayed impact crater on Mercury, which was discovered in 1991 by ground-based radar observations conducted at Goldstone Observatory.[2] The crater was initially known as feature B. Its appearance was so dissimilar to other impact craters that it was once thought to be a shield volcano. However, improved radar images by the Arecibo Observatory obtained later in 2000–2005 clearly showed that feature B is an impact crater with an extensive ray system. The bright appearance of rays in the radio images indicates that the crater is geologically young; fresh impact ejecta has a rough surface, which leads to strong scattering of radio waves.[2]
Hokusai is named after Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849), a Japanese artist and printmaker of the Edo period.[3][1] The name Hokusai was suggested by radar astronomer John K. Harmon.[4] The crater has a diameter of about 100 km; the rays extend for thousands kilometers, covering much of the northern hemisphere.[5]
Hokusai is the fourth-largest crater of the Kuiperian system on Mercury. The largest is Bartók crater.[6] Hokusai is one of 110 peak ring basins on Mercury.[7]
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