Vlacq (crater)
Encyclopedia
Vlacq is a prominent lunar
impact crater
that is located in the southeastern part of the Moon
, and appears foreshortened when viewed from the Earth
. This crater is adjacent to the northeastern rim of the larger Hommel
, and to the northwest rim of Rosenberger
.
This crater has become eroded, but not to the degree of the larger neighboring craters. The satellite crater Vlacq G intrudes into the southern rim of Vlacq, and is overlaid in turn along the southwest rim by the sharp-rimmed Vlacq B. The satellite crater Vlacq C is attached to the northeastern exterior rim of Vlacq.
The interior floor of Vlacq has been resurfaced by lava
, leaving a nearly level base. The southwest half of the floor, however, is overlaid by ejecta from nearby impacts. In the mid-point of the floor is a rounded massif that is about 15 kilometers in length, being long along the northwest direction. The floor contains a number of tiny craterlets as well as several ghostly crater remnants in the western half. The most notable of these is a circular depression to the west of the central peak.
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 in the southeastern part 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...
, and appears foreshortened when viewed from the Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. This crater is adjacent to the northeastern rim of the larger Hommel
Hommel (crater)
Hommel is a lunar crater located in the southeast section of the Moon, in a region that is deeply impacted with a multitude of impact craters. The most notable craters nearby are Pitiscus to the north; Rosenberger due east; and Nearch to the southeast. The prominent crater Vlacq is nearly attached...
, and to the northwest rim of Rosenberger
Rosenberger (crater)
Rosenberger is an old lunar impact crater in the southeastern part of the Moon. Due to foreshortening, this crater appears oval when viewed from the Earth. From orbit, however, the crater rim is nearly circular....
.
This crater has become eroded, but not to the degree of the larger neighboring craters. The satellite crater Vlacq G intrudes into the southern rim of Vlacq, and is overlaid in turn along the southwest rim by the sharp-rimmed Vlacq B. The satellite crater Vlacq C is attached to the northeastern exterior rim of Vlacq.
The interior floor of Vlacq has been resurfaced by lava
Lava
Lava refers both to molten rock expelled by a volcano during an eruption and the resulting rock after solidification and cooling. This molten rock is formed in the interior of some planets, including Earth, and some of their satellites. When first erupted from a volcanic vent, lava is a liquid at...
, leaving a nearly level base. The southwest half of the floor, however, is overlaid by ejecta from nearby impacts. In the mid-point of the floor is a rounded massif that is about 15 kilometers in length, being long along the northwest direction. The floor contains a number of tiny craterlets as well as several ghostly crater remnants in the western half. The most notable of these is a circular depression to the west of the central peak.
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 Vlacq.| Vlacq | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 51.2° S | 38.9° E | 17 km |
| B | 51.0° S | 39.7° E | 18 km |
| C | 50.3° S | 39.4° E | 19 km |
| D | 48.7° S | 36.2° E | 34 km |
| E | 52.0° S | 36.2° E | 11 km |
| G | 54.9° S | 38.1° E | 27 km |
| H | 47.9° S | 34.9° E | 11 km |
| K | 51.2° S | 36.6° E | 12 km |