Renowned Kerala names such as Thumba, Varkala, Periyar, Valiamala, and Bekal have transcended their earthly origins, being officially recognized as names for craters and valleys on Mars, as sanctioned by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). These celestial features are located in the Martian Xanthe Terra region and are part of a remarkable legacy established by pioneering Indian geologist MS Krishnan, who has a crater named in his honor due to his significant contributions to geology.
The Kerala-inspired names were proposed by researchers Asif Iqbal Kakkassery and Rajesh V.J., based in Kerala. Kakkassery, formerly associated with the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) and currently an Assistant Professor at Government College, Kasaragod, alongside his colleague Rajesh, discovered ancient glacial and fluvial activity in a previously unnamed crater during their extensive research. The 70-kilometer-wide Krishnan Crater and its neighboring features such as Krishnan Palus (a plain) and Periyar Vallis (a valley) exhibit signs suggesting that Mars once had water and ice, reminiscent of conditions that could have supported life.
In addition to the prominent crater, several smaller craters have also been aptly named after Kerala locations. These include Valiamala, which serves as the home base for IIST, Thumba, recognized as the birthplace of ISRO in the 1960s, Varkala, known for its geologically significant cliffs that bear a resemblance to certain Martian landscapes, Bekal, which is famed for its historic fort, and Periyar, the longest river in Kerala.
MS Krishnan, born in 1898 in Thanjavur, notably served as India's first Director of the Geological Survey, and was eligible for the IAU's criteria that allow the naming of large craters after deceased planetary scientists. Meanwhile, the regulations for smaller features stipulate that they should derive from towns with populations under 100,000 that reflect cultural significance and are easy to pronounce.
This historic naming marks the first instance of Kerala locations appearing on Mars, alongside previously designated Indian names like Ganga and craters named after renowned figure Devendra Lal. The IAU's endorsement followed a determined effort by the research team, which initially faced rejections concerning pronunciation and compliance before successfully securing approval.
The findings have been published in the journal Meteoritics & Planetary Science, which also outlines the habitability potential of Xanthe Terra as evidenced by its water-formed geological features. This initiative blends Kerala's rich geographical heritage with the broader context of cosmic exploration, ensuring that these names will be immortalized in the lexicon of both planetary science and Indian history.
In June 2024, scientists at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad further expanded India's presence in Mars nomenclature by identifying three new craters in the Tharsis volcanic region, named Lal, Mursan, and Hilsa, in honor of notable figures and local towns, continuing the celebration of India's space exploration journey.