The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has taken a significant step in expanding the geographical vocabulary of Mars by officially adding several place-names from Kerala. This historic decision follows a comprehensive research project conducted by scientists at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IIST) in Thiruvananthapuram. The IAU’s approval on November 24 marks the first instance of Kerala locations being included in the mapping of the Red Planet, which has stirred excitement among the local and international scientific community.
Among the newly recognized names are Periyar, Varkala, Thumba, Valiamala, and Bekal, all inspired by important locations in Kerala. These names are positioned within Martian features that have historical and cultural significance. The proposal was made by researchers Rajesh V. J. and Asif Iqbal Kakkassery, who have been studying the Xanthe Terra region of Mars, where they found signs of ancient glacial and fluvial activities that once shaped the planet's landscape.
Central to the approved names is the Krishnan Crater, a vast impact crater that is over 3.5 billion years old and named in honor of M. S. Krishnan, a trailblazing Indian scientist. This crater is more than 70 kilometers wide and was designated in line with IAU guidelines, which stipulate that prominent craters should bear the names of renowned deceased scientists. Within this crater, the newly designated 'Krishnan Palus' represents a plain, while the channel that flows through it has been aptly named 'Periyar Vallis', echoing Earth’s Periyar River.
The IAU's naming extends beyond just the crater; a variety of smaller Martian features have also been designated Kerala-inspired names. For example, 'Varkala' refers to a 9-kilometer crater, resonating with the iconic beach and coastal cliffs back in Kerala. 'Thumba' acknowledges the site of India's early rocket launch center managed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Meanwhile, 'Valiamala' relates to the location of the IIST, and 'Bekal' pays tribute to a historic fort in northern Kerala overlooking the Arabian Sea.
This initiative not only enhances the geographical mapping of Mars but also signifies a cultural connection between Kerala and the exploration of space. The selection process adhered to IAU rules, allowing neighborhoods or towns with populations under 100,000 to be named, provided they upheld cultural or historical relevance. The collaborative effort by the IIST extended over six years, including challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, ultimately culminating in the successful inclusion of these names in the cosmic landscape.
The addition of Kerala’s place-names to Mars represents a new chapter in connecting local heritage with global scientific endeavors, creating excitement for both residents of Kerala and astronomy enthusiasts worldwide.