Airy (lunar crater)

Airy is a lunar impact crater located in the southern highlands. It forms the southernmost member of a chain of craters consisting of Vogel, Argelander, and Airy. A little further to the south lies Donati. Airy has a worn, and somewhat polygonal rim that it broken at the northern and southern ends.^[2]: 95 It is a floor-fractured crater^[3][4] with a central peak.

Coordinates18.14°S 5.61°E / -18.14; 5.61

Diameter38.90 km (24.17 mi)^[1]

Depth1.8 km

Colongitude354° at sunrise

Quick facts Coordinates, Diameter ...

Airy

Lunar Orbiter 4 image
Coordinates	18.14°S 5.61°E / -18.14; 5.61
Diameter	38.90 km (24.17 mi)[1]
Depth	1.8 km
Colongitude	354° at sunrise
Eponym	George B. Airy

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To the west of Airy crater is an albedo feature resembling a lunar swirl. These features are normally associated with a magnetic anomaly. It is described as an "elongated curved bright area with a central darker lane."^[5] The magnetic anomaly causing the feature was discovered based on magnetometer data from the Lunar Prospector spacecraft.^[6]

This crater is named in honour of British astronomer George Biddell Airy (1801–1892). His name was introduced into lunar nomenclature by German astronomer J. H. von Mädler in 1837.^[7] Its designation was formally adopted by the International Astronomical Union in 1935.^[1]