Descartes (crater)
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| Crater characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 11.7° S, 15.7° E |
| Diameter | 48 km |
| Depth | 0.9 km |
| Colongitude | 344° at sunrise |
| Eponym | René Descartes |
Descartes is a heavily-worn lunar crater that is located in the rugged south-central highlands of the Moon. To the southwest is the Abulfeda crater.
The rim of Descartes only survives in stretches, and is completely missing in the north. The crater 'Descartes A' lies across the southwest rim. The interior floor contains several curved ridges. These are concentric with the surviving outer walls to the northwest and southeast.
About 50 kilometers to the north of this crater was the landing site of the Apollo 16. The uneven region about the landing area is sometimes called the Descartes Highlands or the Descartes Mountains.
[edit] 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 Descartes crater.
| Descartes | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 12.1° S | 15.2° E | 16 km |
| C | 11.0° S | 16.3° E | 4 km |
[edit] References
- See the reference table for the general listing of literature and web sites that were used in the compilation of this page.
