Astronomy:Mechnikov (crater)

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Short description: Crater on the Moon
Mechnikov
Mechnikov crater 1040 med.jpg
Diameter60 km
DepthUnknown
Colongitude149° at sunrise
Oblique Lunar Orbiter 5 image

Mechnikov is an impact crater on the far side of the Moon. It is located just to the northeast of the much larger walled plain Galois, being separated by a stretch of irregular terrain about 20–30 km in width.

This is a roughly circular crater that has undergone a moderate amount of impact erosion, but is still relatively intact. Attached to the exterior along the northeast are the satellite craters Mechnikov C and Mechnikov D. There is a small crater in the western part of Mechnikov's interior floor.

Mechnikov is a crater of Nectarian age.[1]

A small crater along the northeast rim of Galois has a small ray system. Ray material from this crater crosses the interior of Mechnikov in a series of streaks that are radial to the impact, producing a fan-like appearance.

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 Mechnikov.

Mechnikov Latitude Longitude Diameter
C 9.9° S 148.0° W 35 km
D 10.2° S 147.2° W 53 km
F 11.3° S 145.0° W 30 km
G 11.8° S 146.6° W 17 km
U 10.6° S 150.9° W 30 km
Z 9.3° S 149.2° W 21 km

References

  1. The geologic history of the Moon. USGS Professional Paper 1348. By Don E. Wilhelms, John F. McCauley, and Newell J. Trask. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington: 1987. Table 9-4.