Plinius (crater)

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Crater characteristics
Coordinates 15.4° N, 23.7° E
Diameter 43 km
Depth 4.3 km
Colongitude   336° at sunrise
Eponym Gaius Secundus

Plinius is a prominent lunar impact crater lies on the border between Mare Serenitatis in the north and Mare Tranquilitatis in the south. South-southeast of Plinius is Ross crater, and to the northeast is Dawes crater. Just to the north is a system of rilles named the Rimae Plinius. At the northwest edge of the rille is the Promontorium Archeruia, a cape off the western rim that encloses the Mare Serenitatis.

The sharp rim of the Plinius crater is slightly oval in form, with a terraced inner wall, and an irregular outer rampart. It lacks a visible ray system. The crater floor is hilly, and in the middle is an irregular central peak that has the appearance of a double crater formation under certain angles of illumination. There is a cleft feature attached to the northern side of the peak. The eastern half of the floor is much more smooth and level than the hummocky west, and this section forms a crescent shape about the central peak.

[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 Plinius crater.

Plinius Latitude Longitude Diameter
A 13.0° N 24.2° E 4 km
B 14.1° N 26.2° E 5 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.