Aristillus (crater)

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Crater characteristics
Aristillus is the crater in the upper right corner of this image.
Coordinates	33.9° N, 1.2° E
Diameter	55 km
Depth	3.6 km
Colongitude	359° at sunrise
Eponym	Aristillus

Aristillus is a prominent lunar impact crater that lies in the lunar mare at the southeast of Mare Imbrium. Directly to the south is the smaller Autolycus crater, while to the southwest is the large Archimedes crater. The area of mare to the southwest is named the Sinus Lunicus. To the northwest are the Theaetetus and Cassini craters.

The rim of Aristillus crater has a wide, irregular outer rampart of ejecta that is relatively easy to discern against the smooth surface of the surrounding mare. The crater impact created a ray system that extends for a distance of over 600 kilometers. The rim is generally circular in form, but possesses a slight hexagonal shape. The inner walls of the rim have a terraced surface, and descend to a relatively rough interior that has not been flooded with lava. In the middle of the crater is a set of three clustered peaks, which rise to a height of about 0.9 km.

Detail map of Mare Imbrium's features. Aristillus is the feature marked "E".

In the northern outer ramparts of Aristillus is a ghost-crater remnant. This is the protruding rim of an old crater that has been almost completely submerged by the lava flows of the surrounding Mare Imbrium. The southern end of the rim has been covered by the ejecta from Aristillus. Along the eastern inner wall and rim is an unusual narrow ribbon of dark material.

[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 Aristillus crater.

[edit] References

• See the reference table for the general listing of literature and web sites that were used in the compilation of this page.
• Wood, Chuck (2005-04-25). A Ribbon of Darkness (English). Lunar Photo of the Day. Retrieved on July 21, 2006.