Astronomy:Conon (crater)

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Short description: Lunar impact crater
Conon
Conon lunar crater.jpg
Conon (right) and Mons Bradley (left) from Apollo 17. NASA photo.
Diameter21 km (13 mi)
Depth2.3 km (1.4 mi)
Colongitude358° at sunrise

Conon is a small but prominent lunar impact crater that lies in the eastern foothills of the Montes Apenninus mountain range. The crater is named for the Greek astronomer Conon of Samos (fl. 250 BCE).[1] Just to the west of Conon is the long mountainous ridge Mons Bradley. The nearest craters possessing an eponym are Galen, about 70 kilometres (43 mi) to the east, and Aratus, about the same distance to the northeast.

Description

The edge of Conon's rim is sharply defined and has not received significant erosion from later impacts. The inner wall is somewhat variable in width, and the interior floor forms an irregular oval shape. This irregularity may be due to the rough and uneven surface on which the crater was formed. The floor is rough, but lacks a central prominence of note.

Satellite craters of Conon
Oblique view of Conon facing south from Apollo 15

To the south, in the Sinus Fidei, is a sinuous rille that follows a course to the south-southeast. This rille is designated Rima Conon, and is named after this crater.

Satellite craters

By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Conon.

Oblique view of Rima Conon from Apollo 17
Conon Latitude Longitude Diameter
A 19.7° N 4.5° E 7 km
W 18.7° N 3.0° E 4 km
Y 22.3° N 1.9° E 4 km

References

  1. "Conon (crater)". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology Research Program.

External links