Alden (crater)
Crater on the Moon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Alden is a lunar impact crater that lies on the far side of the Moon,[3] between Hilbert to the north-northwest and Milne to the south-southeast. To the south-southwest lies Scaliger.[2]
Lunar crater Alden from Apollo 15. NASA image. | |
| Coordinates | 23.6°S 110.8°E |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 111.44[1] km |
| Depth | Unknown |
| Colongitude | 250° at sunrise |
| Formation | Early Imbrian[2] |
| Eponym | Harold Alden |
This formation dates from the Early Imbrian period on the lunar geologic timescale.[2] Alden has a low rim that is overlain in the north and northeast by Alden C and the smaller Alden E. The rim is worn and eroded, especially along the southern wall. The floor is somewhat irregular and pitted. The small crater Alden V lies just inside the north rim, and is attached to Alden C to the east.[4]: 101
This crater is named after American astronomer Harold Alden (1890–1964).[5] Its designation was formally adopted by the International Astronomical Union in 1970.[1] During the planning for the Apollo 8 mission that circled the Moon, this crater was informally referred to as 'See'.[6]
