Mersenius (crater)
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| 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 crater is 84 kilometers in diameter and 2.3 kilometers deep. It is from the Nectarian period, 3.92 to 3.85 billion years ago.[1]
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.[2][3]
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.[2]
The crater is named after 17th century French philosopher and physicist Marin Mersenne.[1]
[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.[4]
| 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
- ^ a b Autostar Suite Astronomer Edition. CD-ROM. Meade, April 2006.
- ^ a b Rükl, Antonín (1990). Atlas of the Moon. Kalmbach Books. ISBN 0-913135-17-8.
- ^ Moore, Patrick (2001). On the Moon. Sterling Publishing Co.. ISBN 0-304-35469-4.
- ^ Bussey, B.; Spudis, P., (2004). The Clementine Atlas of the Moon. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-81528-2.
- Wood, Chuck (October 13, 2006). Mercy, Mersenius. Lunar Photo of the Day. Retrieved on 2006-10-13.
