Mendel (lunar crater)

For the Martian crater, see Mendel (Martian crater). For other things named Mendel, see Mendel (disambiguation).
Mendel (lunar crater)

Oblique Lunar Orbiter 5 image, facing west
Coordinates 48°48′S 109°24′W / 48.8°S 109.4°WCoordinates: 48°48′S 109°24′W / 48.8°S 109.4°W
Diameter 138 km
Depth Unknown
Colongitude 113° at sunrise
Eponym Gregor Mendel

Mendel is a large Impact crater that lies on the far side of the Moon. It is located in the southern fringe of the huge skirt of ejecta that surrounds the Mare Orientale impact basin. To the south-southwest of Mendel is Lippmann, an even larger crater.

This is a worn and eroded crater formation, with several small craters along the rim. The younger Mendel J is attached to the southeastern edge and shares part of the rim. The small Mendel B lies across the rim to the northeast. A pair of small craters also cross the western rim. Parts of the inner wall of Mendel display worn, terrace-like features that have become rounded. The interior floor of Mendel displays desposits and depressions that may have been formed by ejecta from the Mare Orientale formation.

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 Mendel.

Mendel Latitude Longitude Diameter
B 46.5° S 107.7° W 18 km
J 51.6° S 107.4° W 58 km
V 46.7° S 116.7° W 66 km

References

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