In a landmark achievement for Indian science, the country has successfully placed seven new Indian references on the official geological map of Mars. This significant milestone, approved by the International Astronomical Union on November 24, underscores India's growing influence in international space research and planetary exploration.
Kerala's Geography Finds a New Home on Mars
The updated Martian map now proudly features names from the Indian state of Kerala. A major crater, plains, and valleys on the Red Planet have been named after prominent Kerala landmarks. The newly christened features include Periyar (the state's longest river), Bekal (a historic fort), Varkala (a popular beach town), and the towns of Thumba and Valiamala, both intrinsically linked to India's space history.
Although these Martian formations, located nearly 225 million kilometres away, do not physically resemble their earthly namesakes, the naming creates a more diverse and globally representative catalogue for scientists. This act symbolically bridges the gap between India and the vastness of space.
Honouring a Scientific Legacy and Understanding the Naming Process
The new designations also pay tribute to India's scientific heritage. A massive 77-kilometre-wide crater has been named after MS Krishnan, the renowned Indian geologist who became the first Indian Director of the Geological Survey of India in 1951. An adjacent 50-kilometre-wide plain has been designated Krishnan Plaus. Researchers estimate this crater to be over three billion years old, marking it as a site of immense scientific interest for understanding Martian history.
The process of naming features on Mars is governed by strict rules set by the International Astronomical Union. Large craters over 50 kilometres are named after deceased scientists who made substantial contributions to their fields, while smaller craters are named after small towns and villages worldwide to ensure a balanced and varied global pool of names. With this update, the number of Martian features carrying Indian references has risen to nearly 50 out of a total of more than 2,000 named sites.
The Scientific Significance and Rigorous Proposal Process
The successful naming was the result of meticulous work by scientists from the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, who submitted detailed proposals as part of their ongoing geological studies of Mars. Each proposal required high-resolution images, accurate coordinates, scientific justification, and the origin of the chosen name.
Among the new names, Varkala holds a special scientific connection. The 9-kilometre crater on Mars shares its name with the coastal Kerala town because Varkala's unique cliffs contain jarosite, a mineral that is also commonly found on the Martian surface. Since jarosite forms in the presence of water, its study on both Earth and Mars is crucial for unlocking the secrets of the Red Planet's geological history and its potential for past habitability, adding profound depth to comparative planetary studies.
This achievement is more than just names on a map; it is a powerful testament to India's expanding role and expertise in the elite field of planetary science, firmly establishing the nation's presence on the final frontier.
