Shaler (crater)
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| Crater characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 32.0° S, 85.2° W |
| Diameter | 48 km |
| Depth | Unknown |
| Colongitude | 86° at sunrise |
| Eponym | Nathaniel S. Shaler |
Shaler is a lunar impact crater that lies on the southeast interior edge of the Montes Cordillera mountain ring that surrounds the immense Mare Orientale formation. It is located near the southwest limb of the Moon on the near side, and so is viewed nearly from on edge from the Earth. Just to the northwest of the crater is the slightly smaller Wright crater.
The long, irregular Vallis Bouvard valley begins at the southern rim of Shaler, and winds its way to the south-southeast toward Baade crater. This is one of several such valleys that radiate away from the southeast edge of the Mare Orientale circular impact basin, the other two being Vallis Inghirami and Vallis Baade.
The formation of Shaler crater has been affected by its location on the southern edge of the Montes Cordillera, as the floor is rough and irregular, particularly toward the southwest where several small, parallel clefts appear in the surface. The rim is nearly circular, although slightly flattened along the south edge, and the edge remains sharply defined with little appearance of erosion.
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