The names of Mars’ geographic features derive from a number of sources. The names of large features are derived primarily from the maps of Mars made in 1886 by the Italian astronomer Giovanni Schiaparelli. Schiaparelli named the larger features using names from Greek mythology and the Bible. Large Martian craters are named after important scientists and science fiction writers, and smaller ones are named after towns and villages on Earth. | Te Whatu Stardome