Mairan (crater)

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Crater characteristics
Coordinates 41.6° N, 43.4° W
Diameter 40 km
Depth 3.4 km
Colongitude   44° at sunrise
Eponym Jean J. d'Ortous
de Mairan

Mairan is a lunar impact crater that is located on a highland peninsula between Oceanus Procellarum to the west and Mare Imbrium to the east. To the north-northeast is the comparably-sized Sharp crater. Northwest of Mairan is the heavily eroded Louville crater.

The outer rim of Mairan has not been significantly eroded or impacted, and retains a sharp edge. The surface about Mairan is rough and irregular, with a multitude of many tiny craters, particularly to the south and west. The inner walls display some terracing, and flow down to a relatively flat interior floor.

In the mare due west of Mairan crater is a small lunar dome designated 'Mairan T'. The dome has a tiny crater at the summit. There is also a sinuous rille along the southwest edge of the highland peninsula containing Mairan crater. It is designated Rima Mairan, and follows a north-south course for a length of about 100 kilometers.

[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 Mairan crater.

Mairan Latitude Longitude Diameter
A 38.6° N 38.8° W 16 km
C 38.6° N 46.0° W 7 km
D 40.9° N 45.4° W 10 km
E 37.8° N 37.2° W 6 km
F 40.3° N 45.1° W 9 km
G 40.9° N 50.8° W 6 km
H 39.3° N 40.0° W 5 km
K 40.8° N 41.0° W 6 km
L 39.0° N 43.2° W 6 km
N 39.2° N 45.5° W 6 km
T 41.7° N 48.3° W 3 km
Y 42.7° N 44.0° W 7 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.