Archive · 28 Nov 2025
Kerala Landmarks Named on Mars
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) has named several places on Mars after famous locations and people from Kerala, India.
These include the Periyar river, Bekal fort, Varkala beach, and towns like Thumba and Valiamala.
Two other places on Mars honor M S Krishnan, a famous Indian geologist.
This is exciting because it means that these special places in Kerala now have a second home on Mars, which is very far away.
The IAU made this announcement on November 24.
It's like giving a piece of Kerala a new address on another planet!
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) named Martian geological features after Kerala landmarks and M S Krishnan.
Seven Indian names were included in the latest list, announced on November 24.
Notable features named include Periyar river, Bekal fort, Varkala beach, Thumba, and Valiamala.
Two locations on Mars honor M S Krishnan, the first Indian director of the Geological Survey of India.
These names now have a second address on Mars, 225 million kilometers away from Earth.
- Who
- International Astronomical Union (IAU)
- What
- Named Martian geological features after Kerala landmarks and M S Krishnan
- When
- November 24
- Where
- Mars
- Why
- To honor Indian contributions and landmarks
- Announcement Date
- November 24
- Organisation
- International Astronomical Union (IAU)
- Number of Indian Names
- Seven
- Distance to Mars
- 225 million kilometres
- Notable Features
- Periyar river, Bekal fort, Varkala beach, Thumba, Valiamala, M S Krishnan
