Porter (Martian crater)

{{Infobox crater data

| titlecolor = #FA8072

| title = Porter

| image = Porter Crater.JPG

| caption = Porter crater rim, as seen with Mars Global Surveyor.

| region = Aonia Terra

| coordinate_title = Coordinates

| globe = Mars

| coordinates = {{coord|50.8|S|113.9|W|globe:mars_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}

| diameter = 105 km

| eponym = Russell W. Porter

}}

Porter is a large-scale impact crater in the Thaumasia quadrangle on the planet Mars, situated in Aonia Terra at 50.8° south and 113.9º west. The impact caused a bowl {{convert|105|km|mi}} across. The name was chosen in 1973 by the International Astronomical Union in honour of the US astronomer and explorer, Russell W. Porter (1871-1949).{{Cite web |url=http://www.flag.wr.usgs.gov/ |title=Welcome to the US Petabox |access-date=2020-05-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801120419/http://www.flag.wr.usgs.gov/ |archive-date=2013-08-01 |url-status=dead }}

Impact craters generally have a rim with ejecta around them, in contrast volcanic craters usually do not have a rim or ejecta deposits. As craters get larger (greater than 10 km in diameter) they usually have a central peak.{{Cite web|url=http://www.lpi.usra.edu/publications/slidesets/stones/|title=Stones, Wind, and Ice: A Guide to Martian Impact Craters}} The peak is caused by a rebound of the crater floor following the impact.{{cite book|author=Hugh H. Kieffer|title=Mars|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NoDvAAAAMAAJ|access-date=7 March 2011|date=1992|publisher=University of Arizona Press|isbn=978-0-8165-1257-7}}

Wikiporter.jpg|Porter Crater, as seen by CTX camera (on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter). Gullies are visible in the upper left.

Wikiportergullies.jpg|Gullies in Porter Crater, as seen by CTX camera (on Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter). Note: this is an enlargement of the previous photo.