Balanchine is an impact crater on the planet Mercury. It possesses a ray system of slightly blue rays which inspired its name due to resembling the tutu in George Balanchine's Serenade.
Extensive hollows are present within Balanchine, as well as an associated dark spot.Zhiyong Xiao, Robert G. Strom, David T. Blewett, Paul K. Byrne, Sean C. Solomon, Scott L. Murchie, Ann L. Sprague, Deborah L. Domingue, Jörn Helbert, 2013. Dark spots on Mercury: A distinctive low-reflectance material and its relation to hollows. Journal of Geophysical Research Planets. doi.org/10.1002/jgre.20115
Balanchine lies in the northeast portion of the Caloris Basin. To its northeast is Nervo crater, and to its southeast March.
References
External links Image of the crater