Meteorite impact crater inventory of Turkey

Interplanetary space is populated with large numbers of small bodies known as meteorites, which are in orbits that can intersect those of planets and moons. Therefore, individual impacts appear on the surfaces of planetary bodies which are called impact craters. While impacting meteorites are useful to determine the early solar system processes, resultant impact craters are useful to determine the ages of the surfaces and related erosional effects on the body. At Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University (COMU) we aim to create a Meteorite Impact Craters Data Base for Turkey in a computer environment. The data base will be reachable through internet for wider use. Preparations and actions for this exercise are described. For the initial phase, we have collected related information through literature including papers and thesis on the topic. We classify our present efforts for acquisition of information along the following lines on: 1) Meteorites which have fallen down to Turkey recently, i.e. Antalya meteorite in 2001, Afyon meteorite in 2002 and others; 2) Meteorites and impact craters, mentioned in historical records, i.e., Gallipoli meteorite (467 BC); Birgi meteorite (1335 AD) etc.; 3) Candidate impact craters in Turkey which were studied earlier; 4) Other events that can be recognized through satellite images and maps; 5) New events during our preparations. Present candidates and established structures will be investigated and relevant data will be used for the aimed data base.