Ma Chih-Yuan (crater)
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Feature typePeak-ring impact basin
LocationDiscovery quadrangle, Mercury
Coordinates60°01′S 78°01′W / 60.01°S 78.01°W
Diameter197.0 km (122.4 mi)
 MESSENGER NAC mosaic of Ma Chih-Yuan | |
| Feature type | Peak-ring impact basin |
|---|---|
| Location | Discovery quadrangle, Mercury |
| Coordinates | 60°01′S 78°01′W / 60.01°S 78.01°W |
| Diameter | 197.0 km (122.4 mi) |
| Eponym | Ma Zhiyuan |
Ma Chih-Yuan is a crater on Mercury.[1] Its name was adopted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 1976. Ma Chih-Yuan is named for the Chinese playwright Ma Zhiyuan, who lived in the 13th century CE.[2]
Ma Chih-Yuan is one of 110 peak ring basins on Mercury.[3] It is ancient and highly eroded, unlike Raditladi, for example.
To the east of Ma Chih-Yuan is Rabelais crater. To the northeast is Coleridge crater, and to the southwest is Sei crater.
