NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Small, Yet Striking

Xiao Zhao, a relatively small fresh crater, stretches its rays across this entire image, illustrating that small impacts are still quite powerful. The bright crater rays, composed of fresh material excavated by the impact, are contrasted by the older, darker surrounding surface. Another small impact crater well known for its extensive rays is Han Kan.

Date acquired: July 11, 2011

Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory/Carnegie Institution of Washington