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Maunder (lunar crater)
Encyclopedia
Maunder is a lunar
impact crater
that is located on the far side of the Moon
, just beyond the western limb. This region is sometimes brought into view during favorable libration
s, but not much detail can be seen. The crater lies at the northern end of the Mare Orientale
, within the ring of mountains named Montes Rook
, and it is the largest crater on this lunar mare
. To the southeast is the crater Kopff
, and due south is the small Hohmann
.
The rim of Maunder is roughly circular, with a sharp edge that has not been significantly eroded. The inner walls are somewhat terraced, and slump down to a rough but level interior floor. At the mid-point of the crater is a double central peak, with the northeastern peak being the larger of the two. Surrounding the crater is a rough outer rampart that mixes with the rugged terrain along the northern half of the rim. Secondary impacts are visible in the surface to the south.
The following craters have been renamed by the IAU
.
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
impact crater
Impact crater
In the broadest sense, the term impact crater can be applied to any depression, natural or manmade, resulting from the high velocity impact of a projectile with a larger body...
that is located on the far side of the Moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
, just beyond the western limb. This region is sometimes brought into view during favorable libration
Libration
In astronomy, libration is an oscillating motion of orbiting bodies relative to each other, notably including the motion of the Moon relative to Earth, or of Trojan asteroids relative to planets.-Lunar libration:...
s, but not much detail can be seen. The crater lies at the northern end of the Mare Orientale
Mare Orientale
Mare Orientale is one of the most striking large scale lunar features, resembling a target ring bull's-eye. Located on the extreme western edge of the lunar nearside, this impact basin is difficult to see from an Earthbound perspective.Material from this basin was not sampled by the Apollo program...
, within the ring of mountains named Montes Rook
Montes Rook
Montes Rook is a ring-shaped mountain range that lies along the western limb of the Moon, crossing over to the far side. It completely encircles the Mare Orientale, and forms part of a massive impact basin feature...
, and it is the largest crater on this lunar mare
Lunar mare
The lunar maria are large, dark, basaltic plains on Earth's Moon, formed by ancient volcanic eruptions. They were dubbed maria, Latin for "seas", by early astronomers who mistook them for actual seas. They are less reflective than the "highlands" as a result of their iron-rich compositions, and...
. To the southeast is the crater Kopff
Kopff (crater)
Kopff is a lunar crater that lies along the eastern edge of the inner Mare Orientale impact basin, on the western limb of the Moon. In this position the crater is seen from on edge from the Earth, and its visibility is affected by libration...
, and due south is the small Hohmann
Hohmann (crater)
Hohmann is a lunar crater that lies within the central basin of the Mare Orientale formation, on the farside of the Moon. It is located to the south of the crater Maunder, and to the west of Kopff crater. Due to its proximity to the western lunar limb, this area of the surface is occasionally...
.
The rim of Maunder is roughly circular, with a sharp edge that has not been significantly eroded. The inner walls are somewhat terraced, and slump down to a rough but level interior floor. At the mid-point of the crater is a double central peak, with the northeastern peak being the larger of the two. Surrounding the crater is a rough outer rampart that mixes with the rugged terrain along the northern half of the rim. Secondary impacts are visible in the surface to the south.
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 Maunder.| Maunder | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 3.2° S | 90.5° W | 15 km |
| B | 9.0° S | 90.3° W | 17 km |
The following craters have been renamed by the IAU
International Astronomical Union
The International Astronomical Union IAU is a collection of professional astronomers, at the Ph.D. level and beyond, active in professional research and education in astronomy...
.
- Maunder Z — See Couder (crater)Couder (crater)Couder is a small lunar impact crater that is located just behind the western limb of the Moon, in a region of the surface that is brought into view during favorable librations...
.