Delaunay (crater)

Delaunay
Lunar Orbiter 4 image
Coordinates22°12′S 2°30′E / 22.2°S 2.5°E / -22.2; 2.5
Diameter44.63 km (27.73 mi)[1]
Depth1.9 km
Colongitude358° at sunrise
EponymCharles-Eugène Delaunay

Delaunay is a compound lunar impact crater located in the southern highlands of the Moon's near side.[2] The craters La Caille to the southwest[3] and Faye to the northeast border on the outer rim of Delaunay. Further to the northwest is the prominent Arzachel.[4]

This is a rectangular formation that has an interior ridge running from the northeast side that divides the crater nearly in half,[5] and gives it a heart-shaped appearance. This ridge grows increasingly slender as it approaches the southwest rim, until it terminates at sharp point, giving it the appearance of a curved fang. The outer rim of this double crater is equally irregular, and the uneven inner wall varies significantly in width. The southern rim has been heavily damaged by impacts, including La Caille E which intrudes into the interior.[6]: 95 

This formation is named after French astronomer and mathematician Charles-Eugène Delaunay (1816-1872),[1] who was notable for his studies of lunar motion.[7] His name was introduced with the lunar nomenclature of William R. Birt and John Lee in the 19th century.[8] 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 Delaunay.[8]

Delaunay[6]: 296  Latitude Longitude Diameter
A 21.9° S 2.0° E 6 km

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Delaunay". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology Research Program. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
  2. ↑ Moore, Patrick (2001). On the Moon. Sterling Publishing Co. p. 209. ISBN 978-0-304-35469-6.
  3. ↑ Grego, Peter (2005). The Moon and How to Observe It. Astronomers' Observing Guides Series. London: Springer-Verlag. p. 205. ISBN 1-85233-748-6.
  4. ↑ "LAC 95" (PDF). Gazeteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Retrieved 2026-08-06.
  5. ↑ Wlasuk, Peter T. (2013). Observing the Moon. The Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 56–57. ISBN 978-1-4471-0483-4.
  6. 1 2 Bussey, B.; Spudis, P. (2004). The Clementine Atlas of the Moon. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-81528-4.
  7. ↑ Wilson, C. (2003). "The three-body problem". In Grattan-Guinness, I. (ed.). Companion Encyclopedia of the History and Philosophy of the Mathematical Sciences. A Johns Hopkins paperback. Vol. 2. JHU Press. p. 1058. ISBN 978-0-8018-7397-3.
  8. 1 2 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.
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