Mersenius (crater)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Crater characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 21.5° S, 49.2° W |
| Diameter | 84 km |
| Depth | 2.3 km |
| Colongitude | 48° at sunrise |
| Eponym | Marin Mersenne |
Mersenius is a lunar crater that is located to the west of the Mare Humorum, on the southwest part of the Moon. To the southwest is the Cavendish crater, and to the south-southeast lies Liebig crater.
The rim of Mersenius is heavily worn, especially in the low northern section. The crater 'Mersenius N' lies across the southwest rim. The interior has been flooded by basaltic-lava, which bludges upward forming a convex domed shape with an estimated height of 450 metres relative to the floor edges. This was most likely formed by lava upwelling beneath the surface. There are several tiny craterlets across the floor surface, but little in the way of a central peak. At least two faint rilles lie along the surface of the floor.
To the east of the crater on the surface and edges of the Mare Humorum is a rille system designated Rimae Mersenius. These rilles are generally parallel and run to the north-northeast for a length of about 230 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 Mersenius crater.
| Mersenius | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | 21.0° S | 51.6° W | 15 km |
| C | 19.8° S | 45.9° W | 14 km |
| D | 23.1° S | 46.8° W | 34 km |
| E | 22.5° S | 46.0° W | 10 km |
| H | 22.5° S | 49.9° W | 15 km |
| J | 21.0° S | 52.8° W | 5 km |
| K | 21.2° S | 50.7° W | 5 km |
| L | 19.9° S | 48.4° W | 3 km |
| M | 21.2° S | 48.3° W | 5 km |
| N | 22.1° S | 49.2° W | 3 km |
| P | 19.9° S | 47.8° W | 42 km |
| R | 19.3° S | 47.6° W | 4 km |
| S | 19.2° S | 46.9° W | 16 km |
| U | 23.0° S | 50.0° W | 4 km |
| V | 22.9° S | 50.5° W | 5 km |
| W | 23.0° S | 50.8° W | 5 km |
| X | 22.4° S | 47.9° W | 4 km |
| Y | 22.7° S | 48.2° W | 4 km |
| Z | 21.0° S | 50.6° W | 3 km |
[edit] References
- Wood, Chuck (2006-10-13). Mercy, Mersenius (English). Lunar Photo of the Day. Retrieved on 2006-10-13.
- See the reference table for the general listing of literature and web sites that were used in the compilation of this page.
