Daedalia Planum

Image of the Day explores Mars nomenclature. Daedalia Planum = Planum: plateau or high plain. Daedalia: Daedalus was a famous inventor, architect, and craftsman. He designed the Labyrith at Knossos (the Minotaur's prison), and the wings that caused the death of his son, Icarus. Daedalia Planum is located south of Arsia Mons. Topographically, this area appears to be a relatively featureless plain (as can be seen in the MOLA context image to the right). However, the daytime IR image shows multiple lava flows and small craters. The descriptor fluctus may be a better term to use now that we have better images of this region. Nomenclature Fact of the Day: Small craters on Mars are named for towns and villages from all over the world with populations less than 100,000.