Coniraya
Coniraya (center right, overlain by three smaller craters). Gaue is at lower right, cut-off by the edge of the image.
LocationCeres
Coordinates39°52′N 65°31′E / 39.86°N 65.51°E / 39.86; 65.51[1]
Diameter136.12 kilometres (84.58 mi)
NamingConiraya Viracocha, Incan lunar deity

Coniraya is a large crater on the dwarf planet Ceres.

Etymology

The crater is named after the Incan lunar and fertility deity, Coniraya Viracocha (Kon Iraya Wiraqocha), who came to earth at Huarochirí (Waruchiri), and created villages, terraced fields and irrigation canals.

Formation

According to a 2016 study, the impact which created Coniraya was caused by a large body travelling an unusually low speed.[2]

References

  1. Staff (6 July 2015). "Planetary Names: Crater, craters: Coniraya on Ceres". USGS. Retrieved 7 August 2015.
  2. Bland, Michael T.; et al. (29 June 2016). "Composition and structure of the shallow subsurface of Ceres revealed by crater morphology". Nature Geoscience. Springer Nature. 9 (7): 538–542. doi:10.1038/ngeo2743. hdl:10919/103024. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
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