Magelhaens (lunar crater)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Crater characteristics

Magelhaens is just above centre in this image taken by the crew of Apollo 8. Magelhaens A is centre-left. NASA photo.
Coordinates 11.9° S, 44.1° E
Diameter 41 km
Depth 2.0 km
Colongitude   316° at sunrise
Eponym Ferdinand Magellan

Magelhaens is a lunar crater that lies along the southwestern edge of the Mare Fecunditatis, in the eastern part of the Moon's near side. It lies to the south-southwest of Goclenius crater, about midway between Gutenberg crater to the northwest and Colombo crater to the southeast.

This crater has a somewhat slender and uneven outer rim that is only roughly circular. The somewhat smaller satellite crater 'Magelhaens A' is attached to the southeastern rim. Within the inner walls of Magelhaens, the interior floor has been resurfaced by basaltic-lava, matching the same dark appearance as the lunar mare to the northeast. This floor is level and almost featureless.

[edit] Satellite craters

By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater mid-point that is closest to Magelhaens crater.

Magelhaens Latitude Longitude Diameter
A 12.6° S 45.0° E 32 km

[edit] References

  • See the reference table for the general listing of literature and web sites that were used in the compilation of this page.