Wargentin (crater)
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| Crater characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 49.6° S, 60.2° W |
| Diameter | 84 km |
| Depth | None |
| Colongitude | 60° at sunrise |
| Eponym | Pehr W. Wargentin |
Wargentin is an unusual form of lunar impact crater. The interior has been completely filled up to the edge of its raised rim by a basaltic lava flow, so that it forms a raised plateau above the surroundings. When the lava flow occurred, it erupted from within the crater walls and proceeded to accumulate until overrunning the lowest portion of the rim. Some blockage then prevented the lava flow from returning to equilibrium. Since this occurred, some ejecta has been deposited across the top, giving the surface a higher albedo than is typical for deposits of basalt.
The rim of Wargentin is somewhat worn and is overlain by a few small craters. The outer wall climbs to a height of 0.3 km above the surrounding terrain. A spoked pattern of wrinkle ridges can be discerned on the surface, radiating from the center of the crater.
Wargentin is located on the approaches to the southwest lunar, so that it appears elongated when viewed from the Earth. It is connected along the southeast rim to the slightly smaller Nasmyth crater, which is in turn overlaid by the larger Phocylides crater. To the northeast is the much larger Schickard walled-plain.
[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 Wargentin crater.
| Wargentin | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 47.1° S | 59.1° W | 21 km |
| B | 51.4° S | 67.6° W | 18 km |
| C | 47.4° S | 61.2° W | 12 km |
| D | 51.0° S | 65.1° W | 16 km |
| E | 50.9° S | 66.9° W | 16 km |
| F | 51.5° S | 66.1° W | 20 km |
| H | 47.4° S | 60.1° W | 9 km |
| K | 48.3° S | 57.8° W | 7 km |
| L | 48.1° S | 58.2° W | 11 km |
| M | 48.1° S | 58.9° W | 7 km |
| P | 48.7° S | 56.6° W | 9 km |
[edit] References
- Wood, Chuck (2006-10-03). Lava or ejecta? An answer at last! (English). Lunar Photo of the Day. Retrieved on 2006-10-03.
- See the reference table for the general listing of literature and web sites that were used in the compilation of this page.
