Balanchine (crater)

Balanchine
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MESSENGER image of Balanchine
Feature typeCentral-peak impact crater
LocationRaditladi quadrangle, Mercury
Coordinates38°28′N 184°29′W / 38.47°N 184.48°W / 38.47; -184.48
Diameter38 km
EponymGeorge Balanchine
Approximate color image of Balanchine crater

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]

Extensive hollows are present within Balanchine, as well as an associated dark spot.[2]

High-resolution view of some of the hollows

Balanchine lies in the northeast portion of the Caloris Basin. To its northeast is Nervo crater, and to its southeast March.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Ritzel was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ 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