Caloris bursa is a geological formation on the planet Mercury. The word "Caloris" is pronounced /kəˈlɔːrɪs/ with the stress on the second syllable. The vowel in the first syllable is pronounced as a short schwa sound /ə/. The second word, "bursa," is pronounced /ˈbɜːrsə/, with the stress on the first syllable. The vowel in the first syllable is pronounced as a short "er" sound /ɜːr/. The spelling of these words follows the conventions of English phonetics.
Caloris bursa is a term referring to a basin-like or depression feature on the surface of the planet Mercury. This term is derived from Latin, where "caloris" means "heat" and "bursa" denotes "bag" or "purse."
In the context of Mercury, Caloris bursa specifically describes a large impact basin that is located within the Caloris Planitia region of the planet. Caloris Planitia is one of the largest impact basins in our solar system, with a diameter of approximately 1,550 kilometers. The Caloris bursa is positioned within this basin and is known for its unique geologic characteristics.
The term "bursa" is employed to signify the sunken or concave nature of this feature, much like a pouch or bag. Furthermore, "caloris" emphasizes the association of Caloris bursa with heat due to the extreme temperature conditions experienced on the planet's surface. This heat is a result of Mercury's proximity to the Sun, where surface temperatures can reach scorching levels during the day.
Caloris bursa offers significant scientific interest due to its impact formation, geological composition, and associated stress-induced tectonic features. The study and exploration of this distinctive depression feature contribute to our understanding of the planetary history and geologic processes occurring on Mercury.
A bursa between the arch of the aorta and the trachea.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.