Cartan (crater)

Cartan
Apollo 15 image
Coordinates4°14′N 59°17′E / 4.24°N 59.29°E / 4.24; 59.29
Diameter15.62 km (9.71 mi)[1]
Depth1.6 km (0.99 mi)
Colongitude301° at sunrise
FormationNectarian[2]
EponymÉlie J. Cartan

Cartan is a small lunar impact crater near the eastern edge of the Moon. It lies just to the west of the larger Apollonius. This crater originated from Crisium basin impact ejecta, and thus dates to the Nectarian period on the lunar geologic timescale.[2] The rim is circular with a tiny crater along the eastern side. The interior floor is about half the diameter of the crater. A smaller crater attached to the southern rim is also attached to the north rim of Apollonius H, forming a short crater chain.[3]

Previously identified as satellite feature Apollonius D,[2] this crater is named after the French mathematician Élie Cartan (1869-1951). Its designation was formally adopted by the International Astronomical Union in 1976.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 "Cartan". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology Research Program.
  2. 1 2 3 Ambrose, W. A. (March 2010). Origin, Distribution and Chronostratigraphy of Asymmetric Secondary Craters and Ejecta Complexes in the Crisium Basin. 41st Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, held March 1-5, 2010 in The Woodlands, Texas. LPI Contribution No. 1533. p. 1061. Bibcode:2010LPI....41.1061A.
  3. ↑ Bussey, B.; Spudis, P. (2004). The Clementine Atlas of the Moon. New York: Cambridge University Press. p. 62. ISBN 978-0-521-81528-4.

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.
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