Dionysius (crater)
|
Lunar Orbiter 4 image | |
| Coordinates | 2°48′N 17°18′E / 2.8°N 17.3°ECoordinates: 2°48′N 17°18′E / 2.8°N 17.3°E |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 18 km |
| Depth | 2.7 km |
| Colongitude | 343° at sunrise |
| Eponym | St. Dionysius |
Dionysius is a lunar impact crater that lies on the western edge of the Mare Tranquillitatis. To the southeast is the crater pair of Ritter and Sabine, the closest being about 40 km, to the west are Cayley, de Morgan and d'Arrest (about 60 km) and about 40 km north is Ariadaeus. Just to the northwest is the system of rilles designated Rimae Ritter. These clefts follow a generally northwest direction.
The rim of Dionysius is generally circular and shows little sign of wear. The crater possesses a small ray system with a radius of over 130 kilometers. The formation has a high albedo and appears bright when the Sun is nearly overhead during a full Moon. It is surrounded by a bright halo, with darker material farther out. Some darker deposits are in the form of relatively rare dark rays.
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 Dionysius.
| Dionysius | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1.7° N | 17.6° E | 3 km |
| B | 3.0° N | 15.8° E | 4 km |
External links
- Stratification in a Tranquil Sea, Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter images of Dionysius
References
- Andersson, L. E.; Whitaker, E. A. (1982). NASA Catalogue of Lunar Nomenclature. NASA RP-1097.
- Blue, Jennifer (July 25, 2007). "Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature". USGS. Retrieved 2007-08-05.
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- McDowell, Jonathan (July 15, 2007). "Lunar Nomenclature". Jonathan's Space Report. Retrieved 2007-10-24.
- Menzel, D. H.; Minnaert, M.; Levin, B.; Dollfus, A.; Bell, B. (1971). "Report on Lunar Nomenclature by the Working Group of Commission 17 of the IAU". Space Science Reviews. 12 (2): 136–186. Bibcode:1971SSRv...12..136M. doi:10.1007/BF00171763.
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