Mechnikov (crater)

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Crater characteristics
Coordinates	11.0° S, 149.0° W
Diameter	60 km
Depth	Unknown
Colongitude	149° at sunrise
Eponym	Il'ya I. Mechnikov

Mechnikov is a lunar impact crater on the far side of the Moon. It is located just to the northeast of the much larger Galois walled plain, being separated by a stretch of irregular terrain about 20-30 km in width.

This is a roughly circular crater that has undergone a moderate amount of impact erosion, but is still relatively intact. Attached to the exterior along the northeast are the satellite craters 'Mechnikov C' and 'Mechnikov D'. There is a small crater in the western part of Mechnikov's interior floor.

A small crater along the northeast rim of Galois has a small ray system. Ray material from this crater crosses the interior of Mechnikov in a series of streaks that are radial to the impact, producing a fan-like appearance.

[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 Mechnikov crater.