Scopas is a crater on Mercury, near the south pole. Its name was adopted by the

International Astronomical Union The International Astronomical Union (IAU; french: link=yes, Union astronomique internationale, UAI) is a nongovernmental organisation with the objective of advancing astronomy in all aspects, including promoting astronomical research, outreach ...

in 1976, after the ancient Greek sculptor and architect

Scopas Scopas ( grc-gre, Σκόπας; born in Paros, fl. 4th century BCE) was an ancient Greek sculptor and architect, most famous for his statue of Meleager, the copper statue of Aphrodite, and the head of goddess Hygieia, daughter of Asclepius. E ...

, following the official convention of naming craters on Mercury after historically significant artists, musicians, painters, and authors.

References

Impact craters on Mercury {{Mercury-planet-stub