Why it matters

Menrva shows that crater scarcity is also scientific information: Titan's surface can hide and rework impact traces.

What happenedOne of Titan's few large craters, important because of the moon's dense atmosphere and active surface.
Why it mattersMenrva shows that crater scarcity is also scientific information: Titan's surface can hide and rework impact traces.
How scientists knowGazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature; NASA Image and Video Library

Measurements and uncertainty

Diamètre392 km
Depthnot listed
Agerare large Titan crater
StatutConfirmé
Coordinates20.100° N / 87.200° W
Record levelextended

Extended record: core parameters have an editorial baseline, while age, depth, and preservation still require primary-source review.

Profil scientifique

Titan requires radar and infrared reading: crater morphology here is tied to atmosphere, precipitation, and organic materials.

Data provenanceGazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature; NASA Image and Video Library

Galerie de reconstruction

Davantage de lectures visuelles du cratère

Si l'image vérifiée ne suffit pas, la fiche reçoit une reconstruction scientifique : non pas de la fantaisie à la place du fait, mais une hypothèse visuelle séparée des sources.

Palette du mondeicy turquoise, deep space, and distant moons
Scientific reconstruction: radar-like view of a ringed structure on hazy Titan.
Aperçu visuel actuelPlaque de base : source, matériau orbital ou planche éditoriale où commence la lecture visuelle.
Reverse reconstructionmoving from the present trace back to the impact event
Chronological inversionreading the object from future state back through earlier layers
The present as an archive of the futuretreating today's profile as evidence for future analysis

Visual reconstruction

Reverse reconstruction → Chronological inversion → Bidirectional analysis → The present as an archive of the future

Chaque fiche doit avoir un aperçu visuel : image existante, source traitée esthétiquement ou reconstruction scientifique.

Reverse reconstructionmoving from the present trace back to the impact event
Chronological inversionreading the object from future state back through earlier layers
Bidirectional analysischecking past-to-present and present-to-past interpretations
The present as an archive of the futuretreating today's profile as evidence for future analysis

Historique de recherche

The name was adopted by the IAU in 2006; the feature is known from Cassini data and official nomenclature.

Sources

CSVJSONMenrva on Titan. Crater.world record. Last reviewed 2026-05-08.
Last reviewed
2026-05-08
Source baseline
Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature; NASA Image and Video Library
Uncertainty note
Extended record: core parameters have an editorial baseline, while age, depth, and preservation still require primary-source review.
Gazetteer of Planetary NomenclatureInternational Astronomical Union / USGSNASA Image and Video LibraryNASA

Education mode

Faits

  • Official diameter: about 392 km.
  • Titan has a dense atmosphere, making craters rare.
  • Menrva connects craters with the theme of active surfaces.
Glossaryejecta, impact melt, breccia, central peak, erosion
Classroom questionWhich evidence separates an impact crater from a volcanic caldera?
CompareOccator