Burckhardt (crater)

Burckhardt
Coordinates31°07′N 56°23′E / 31.11°N 56.39°E / 31.11; 56.39
Diameter54.36 km (33.78 mi)[1]
Depth4.8 km (3.0 mi)
Colongitude304° at sunrise
EponymJohann K. Burckhardt
Oblique view from Apollo 16

Burckhardt is a lunar impact crater that is located in the northeast part of the Moon. It lies between the craters Geminus just to the north[2] and Cleomedes to the south.[3]

This impact feature lies across two slightly smaller craters on opposite sides, producing an interesting looking triple-crater formation.[4] Burckhardt E is overlaid by the southwest quadrant of Burckhardt, while Burckhardt F is overlaid by the northwest quadrant. The rim of Burckhardt is generally circular but somewhat irregular in form. There is a central rise near the midpoint of the crater floor.[5]: 44 

This crater is named after German astronomer Johann K. Burckhardt (1773-1825).[1] His name was introduced into lunar nomenclature by German astronomer J. H. von Mädler during the 19th century.[6] Its designation was formally adopted by the International Astronomical Union in 1935.[1]

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 Burckhardt.[7]

Burckhardt[5]: 294  Latitude Longitude Diameter
A 30.5° N 58.8° E 28 km
B 29.9° N 60.1° E 11 km
C 31.6° N 59.0° E 6 km
E 30.6° N 55.7° E 39 km
F 31.4° N 57.2° E 43 km
G 32.1° N 57.5° E 7 km

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Burckhardt". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology Research Program.
  2. ↑ Moore, Patrick (2001). On the Moon. Sterling Publishing Co. p. 170. ISBN 978-0-304-35469-6.
  3. ↑ Webb, Rev. T. W. (1962). Celestial Objects for Common Telescopes (6th revised ed.). Dover. pp. 107, 154–159. Reprint: ISBN 978-0-486-20917-3
  4. ↑ Grego, Peter (2005). The Moon and How to Observe It. Astronomers' Observing Guides Series. London: Springer-Verlag. p. 144. ISBN 1-85233-748-6.
  5. 1 2 Bussey, B.; Spudis, P. (2004). The Clementine Atlas of the Moon. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-81528-4.
  6. ↑ Whitaker, Ewen A. (1999). Mapping and Naming the Moon. Cambridge University Press. pp. 120, 219. ISBN 978-0-521-62248-6.
  7. ↑ Grego, P. (2015). "Satellite Crater". In Hargitai, H.; Kereszturi, Á. (eds.). Encyclopedia of Planetary Landforms. New York, NY: Springer. doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-3134-3_328.

Sources

  • Price, Fred W. (1988). The Moon Observer's Handbook. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-33500-3.
  • Rükl, Antonín (1990). Atlas of the Moon. Kalmbach Books. ISBN 978-0-913135-17-4.
  • Wlasuk, Peter T. (2000). Observing the Moon. Springer. ISBN 978-1-85233-193-1.
  • Wikimedia Commons logo Media related to Burckhardt (crater) at Wikimedia Commons