Cusanus (crater)
|
Oblique view from Lunar Orbiter 4 | |
| Coordinates | 72°00′N 70°48′E / 72.0°N 70.8°ECoordinates: 72°00′N 70°48′E / 72.0°N 70.8°E |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 63 km |
| Depth | Unknown |
| Colongitude | 293° at sunrise |
| Eponym | Nikolaus K. Cusanus |
Cusanus is a lunar impact crater that is located near the northeastern limb of the Moon. In this location the crater appears very foreshortened when observed from the Earth, and its visibility is affected by libration. The northern rim of Cusanus is nearly joined to the south-southeastern rim of the larger crater Petermann.
The rim of this crater has been eroded and rounded due to a history of minor impacts. The terraces are still visible along the inner walls, although they are less sharply defined compared to younger crater formations. A pair of tiny craters form a notch along the eastern rim, and there is a slight inward bulge along the western inner wall.
The interior has been resurfaced with lava, leaving a flat and relatively featureless floor. But the lava was not of sufficient depth to significantly reduce the width of the inner walls.
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 Cusanus.
| Cusanus | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 70.6° N | 64.0° E | 16 km |
| B | 70.1° N | 64.5° E | 21 km |
| C | 70.4° N | 60.8° E | 25 km |
| E | 72.0° N | 72.3° E | 10 km |
| F | 70.7° N | 73.3° E | 10 km |
| G | 69.9° N | 76.9° E | 10 km |
| H | 69.4° N | 59.4° E | 8 km |
References
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- Blue, Jennifer (July 25, 2007). "Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature". USGS. Retrieved 2007-08-05.
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