Hyginus (crater)
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| Crater characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 7.8° N, 6.3° E |
| Diameter | 11 km |
| Depth | 0.8 km |
| Colongitude | 354° at sunrise |
| Eponym | Gaius J. Hyginus |
Hyginus is a small lunar caldera located at the east end of the Sinus Medii. The crater rim is split by a long, linear rille that branches to the northwest and to the east-southeast for a total length of 220 kilometers. The crater is deeper than the rille, and lies at the bend where they intersect. Together the Hyginus crater and Rima Hyginus form a distinctive and prominent feature in an otherwise flat surface. Smaller craterlets can also be discerned along the length of this rille, possibly caused by a collapse of an underlying structure.
This is one of the few craters on the Moon that was not created as a result of an impact, and is instead believed to be volcanic in origin. It lacks the raised outer rim that is typical with impact craters.
[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 Hyginus crater.
| Hyginus | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 6.3° N | 5.7° E | 8 km |
| B | 7.6° N | 5.1° E | 6 km |
| C | 7.7° N | 8.3° E | 5 km |
| D | 11.4° N | 4.3° E | 5 km |
| E | 8.7° N | 8.5° E | 4 km |
| F | 8.0° N | 8.6° E | 4 km |
| G | 11.0° N | 6.0° E | 4 km |
| H | 6.0° N | 7.0° E | 4 km |
| N | 10.5° N | 7.4° E | 11 km |
| S | 6.4° N | 8.0° E | 29 km |
| W | 9.7° N | 7.7° E | 22 km |
| Z | 8.0° N | 9.5° E | 28 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.
- C.G. Wood (2006). "The Moon's Mystery Rilles". Sky & Telescope 112 (3): 54-55.
