Sheepshanks (crater)

Sheepshanks (crater)

Location of the lunar crater Sheepshanks.
Coordinates 59°12′N 16°54′W / 59.2°N 16.9°WCoordinates: 59°12′N 16°54′W / 59.2°N 16.9°W
Diameter 25 km
Depth 2.0 km
Colongitude 17° at sunrise
Eponym Anne Sheepshanks

Sheepshanks is a small lunar crater located near the northern edge of Mare Frigoris. Due south on the opposite shore is the prominent crater Aristoteles while to the north is C. Mayer. Sheepshanks appears somewhat oblong due to foreshortening, but it is actually nearly circular. The inner walls slope down to a ring of material around the inner floor. There is a small craterlet along the southeastern inner wall. The crater is otherwise not particularly eroded by impacts.

About 30 kilometers to the southeast of the crater rim is the western end of the narrow rille named Rima Sheepshanks. This cleft extends for a distance of about 200 kilometers across the surface of the mare, running to the east-northeast.

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 Sheepshanks.

Sheepshanks Latitude Longitude Diameter
A 60.0° N 19.0° E 7 km
B 60.3° N 21.1° E 5 km
C 57.0° N 18.1° E 11 km

References

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  • Wlasuk, Peter T. (2000). Observing the Moon. Springer. ISBN 978-1-85233-193-1.
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