Anaximander (crater)

Coordinates: 66°58′N 51°26′W / 66.97°N 51.44°W / 66.97; -51.44
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Anaximander
Oblique Lunar Orbiter 4 image
Coordinates66°58′N 51°26′W / 66.97°N 51.44°W / 66.97; -51.44
Diameter68.71 km
Depth2.4 km
Colongitude52° at sunrise
EponymAnaximander
Anaximander crater and the largest two satellite craters

Anaximander is a lunar impact crater that is located near the northwest limb of the Moon. It is joined at the northern rim by the crater Carpenter, a younger and better-defined formation. To the southeast is the much larger J. Herschel, a formation of the variety known as a walled plain.

The outer wall of Anaximander is heavily worn and eroded, with multiple notches and breaks. There is no central peak, but the floor contains several small craterlets and a multitude of tiny pits from minor impacts. This crater has merged with the larger Anaximander D to the south, and there is a wide break in their common rims where they have joined. To the northwest a low rise in the surface is all that separated Anaximander from the much larger satellite crater Anaximander B.

The crater is named for the 6th century BCE Greek philosopher and astronomer Anaximander.[1]

Satellite craters[edit]

By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Anaximander.

Anaximander Latitude Longitude Diameter
A 68.0° N 50.2° W 16 km
B 67.8° N 60.7° W 78 km
D 65.4° N 50.1° W 92 km
H 65.2° N 40.8° W 9 km
R 66.2° N 54.9° W 8 km
S 68.3° N 53.4° W 7 km
T 67.2° N 52.0° W 7 km
U 64.1° N 48.3° W 8 km

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Anaximander (crater)". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology Research Program.

External links[edit]

  • "A Violet Moon". Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD). July 31, 1996. Retrieved August 22, 2017. - includes several craters such as Anaximander