<p>Approximately 50km, according to the IAU <a href="https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Categories" rel="nofollow noreferrer">documentation on namimg planetary features</a></p>
<p>In practice, there is some overlap, with some smaller craters having names of scientists (often these are craters that were named in 1973) and some larger ones having place names, such as <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamberg_(crater)" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Bamburg</a></p>

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2022-12-08T21:12:43.477Z
2022-12-08T21:12:43.477Z
James K
<p>The <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planetary_nomenclature#Mars" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Wikipedia page for planetary nomenclature</a> states that small craters don't follow the same rule as large craters as far . What is the cutoff between small and large craters (as far as naming is concerned), if there is one at all? Is there a crater diameter under which craters are named for Earth towns and over which craters are named for scientists and writers?</p>

<mars><naming><crater><nomenclature>
Mars crater nomenclature
usernumber
# Mars crater nomenclature

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-12-08)

The [Wikipedia page for planetary nomenclature](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planetary_nomenclature#Mars) states that small craters don't follow the same rule as large craters as far . What is the cutoff between small and large craters (as far as naming is concerned), if there is one at all? Is there a crater diameter under which craters are named for Earth towns and over which craters are named for scientists and writers?

**Tags:** mars, naming, crater, nomenclature


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2022-12-08. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

Approximately 50km, according to the IAU [documentation on namimg planetary features](https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/Categories)

In practice, there is some overlap, with some smaller craters having names of scientists (often these are craters that were named in 1973) and some larger ones having place names, such as [Bamburg](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bamberg_(crater))


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