Adams (lunar crater)

Adams is a lunar impact crater that is located in the rugged southeastern section of the Moon, near the lunar limb. It lies just to the southwest of the crater Legendre.^[3] To the northwest are the craters Hase and Petavius, and to the southwest is Furnerius. To the southwest of Adams is a system of rilles designated the Rimae Hase. The longest of these rilles follows a course to the southeast.

Adams is a crater of Nectarian age on the lunar geologic timescale.^[2] The rim of Adams is generally circular in form, but somewhat worn by small impact craters. There is a slight notched protrusion at the southern end of the wall. The floor is undistinguished, with no significant protrusions, and only minor craters.^[4]: 98 There are some small hills around the floor.^[5]

Adams' name jointly honours three astronomers of that name: John Couch Adams, Walter Sydney Adams and Charles Hitchcock Adams. This designation was formally adopted by the International Astronomical Union in 1970.^[1] It was introduced into lunar nomenclature by William R. Birt and John Lee during the 19th century.^[6]