Mairan (crater)
|
Lunar Orbiter 4 image | |
| Coordinates | 41°36′N 43°24′W / 41.6°N 43.4°WCoordinates: 41°36′N 43°24′W / 41.6°N 43.4°W |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 40 km |
| Depth | 3.4 km |
| Colongitude | 44° at sunrise |
| Eponym |
Jean J. d'Ortous de Mairan |
Mairan is a lunar impact crater that is located on a highland peninsula between Oceanus Procellarum to the west and Mare Imbrium to the east. To the north-northeast is the comparably sized crater Sharp. Northwest of Mairan is the heavily eroded Louville.
The outer rim of Mairan has not been significantly eroded or impacted, and retains a sharp edge. The surface around Mairan is rough and irregular, with a multitude of many tiny craters, particularly to the south and west. The inner walls display some terracing, and flow down to a relatively flat interior floor.
In the mare due west of Mairan is a small lunar dome designated Mairan T. The dome has a tiny crater at the summit. There is also a sinuous rille along the southwest edge of the highland peninsula containing Mairan. It is designated Rima Mairan, and follows a north–south course for a length of about 100 kilometers.
Satellite craters
By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Mairan.
| Mairan | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 38.6° N | 38.8° W | 16 km |
| C | 38.6° N | 46.0° W | 7 km |
| D | 40.9° N | 45.4° W | 10 km |
| E | 37.8° N | 37.2° W | 6 km |
| F | 40.3° N | 45.1° W | 9 km |
| G | 40.9° N | 50.8° W | 6 km |
| H | 39.3° N | 40.0° W | 5 km |
| K | 40.8° N | 41.0° W | 6 km |
| L | 39.0° N | 43.2° W | 6 km |
| N | 39.2° N | 45.5° W | 6 km |
| T | 41.7° N | 48.3° W | 3 km |
| Y | 42.7° N | 44.0° W | 7 km |
References
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- Blue, Jennifer (July 25, 2007). "Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature". USGS. Retrieved 2007-08-05.
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