Catharina (crater)

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Crater Catharina photographed by Eric S. Kounce of the West Texas Astronomers (www.wtastro.org) on October 28, 2006 utilizing the 36-inch Telescope at McDonald Observatory near Ft. Davis, Texas.

Catharina is an ancient lunar impact crater located in the southern highlands. It lies in a rugged stretch of land between the Rupes Altai scarp to the west and Mare Nectaris in the east. To the west-northwest is Tacitus crater, and the lava-flooded Beaumont crater lies to the east along the shore of Mare Imbrium. To the south-southeast is the Polybius crater.

With the large Cyrillus and Theophilus craters in the north, it forms a prominent grouping that is framed by the curve of the Rupes Altai. Together they form a notable feature when the sun is at a low angle to the surface. There is also a distinct difference in the ages of these three craters, with the age increasing significantly from north to south.

The rim of Catharina is heavily worn and irregular, with most of the north wall incised by the worn ring of crater Catharina P. The northeast wall is deeply impacted by several smaller craters. No terracing remains on the inner wall, and the outer rampart has been nearly eroded away. The floor is relatively flat but rugged, with a curved ridge formed by Catharina P, and the remains of a smaller crater near the south wall. Nothing remains of a central peak.

Catharina is named after Saint Catherine of Alexandria.

[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 Catharina 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.