Crater on Mercury named after Bellaghy born Seamus Heaney

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Wednesday, 22 March 2017 08:26

by Gillian McDade

A student has named a crater on Mercury after the late Bellaghy born poet Seamus Heaney.

Jack Wright from Belfast was given the honour of naming the crater.

He identified it while mapping a section of the planet as part of his research for his PhD with the Open University.

The naming of Heaney follows a custom of naming craters on Mercury after deceased artists, authors and poets.

The crater’s name was announced at the 48th Lunar and Planetary Science Conference in Houston, to coincide with World Poetry Day.

Bellaghy's HomePlace - the arts centre which celebrates the life and work of the late Seamus Heaney.

The family of the late Seamus Heaney pictured at HomePlace's official opening last September.

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