Abu Nuwas is an impact crater on the planet Mercury, 116 kilometers in diameter. It is located at 17.4°N, 20.4°W. It is named after the Arab poet Abu Nuwas, and its name was approved by the International Astronomical Union in 1976.[1] There is small central peak in the center of the floor of Abu Nuwas, and bright features known as hollows are present near the peak.

Abu Nuwas
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MESSENGER Wide Angle Camera image. North is to the right.
Feature typeImpact crater
LocationKuiper quadrangle, Mercury
Coordinates17°24′N 20°24′W / 17.4°N 20.4°W / 17.4; -20.4
Diameter116 km
Abu Nuwas at high sun angle. Note bright features near center which are hollows
Highly oblique view of Abu Nuwas at high sun angle, also showing the hollows

To the north of Abu Nuwas are the craters Ts'ai Wen-Chi and Rodin. To the southwest is the crater Molière, and the crater Aśvaghosa can be found toward the south.[2]

References

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  1. ^ "USGS Astro: Planetary Nomenclature: Feature Data Search Results". USGS Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature Feature Information. Archived from the original on September 23, 2006. Retrieved October 21, 2007.
  2. ^ NASA World Wind 1.4. NASA Ames Research Center, 2007.