Xiao Zhao (crater) explained

Xiao Zhao
Location:	Eminescu quadrangle, Mercury
Type:	Impact crater
Coordinates:	10.58°N -236.16°W
Eponym:	Xiao Zhao

Xiao Zhao crater is small in comparison with many other craters on Mercury. However, Xiao Zhao's long bright rays make it a readily visible feature. The fresh, bright rays, which were created by material ejected outward during the impact event that formed the crater, indicate that Xiao Zhao is a relatively young crater on Mercury's surface.^[1]

Hollows are present within Xiao Zhao and on the ejecta blanket near the rim. A confirmed dark spot is present in Xiao Zhao.^[2] This dark spot is associated with the hollows.

Xiao Zhao was named by the IAU in 2008 after the 12th-century Chinese painter Xiao Zhao.^[3]

Xiao Zhao is located near Eastman crater.

Notes and References

1. Web site: Xiao Zhao's Rays Paint Mercury's Surface . Messenger.jhuapl.edu . 2013-02-22 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303230559/http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/gallery/sciencePhotos/image.php?gallery_id=2&image_id=184 . March 3, 2016 .
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
3. Web site: Xiao Zhao . . Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature . 18 January 2020.