Bianchini (lunar crater)
Crater on the Moon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bianchini is a lunar impact crater that lies along the northern Jura Mountains that ring the Sinus Iridum,[3] in the northwestern part of the near side of the Moon. The impact of this crater near the edge of the Jura Mountains deposited some material into the Sinus Iridum floor.[4]
Lunar Orbiter 4 image | |
| Coordinates | 48.7°N 34.3°W |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 37.59 km (23.36 mi)[1] |
| Depth | 3.1 km (1.9 mi) |
| Colongitude | 34° at sunrise |
| Formation | Late Imbrian[2] |
| Eponym | Francesco Bianchini |
On the lunar geologic timescale, Bianchini dates to the Upper (Late) Imbrian age.[2] The polygonal rim of this crater is not significantly worn, although there is a small crater along the inner side of the eastern rim. Within the inner wall is a somewhat irregular floor and a small cluster of ridges at the midpoint. Portions of the inner wall have slumped toward the floor along the northern edges.[5][6][7]: 11
This crater was named after Italian astronomer Francesco Bianchini (1662-1729).[1] The name was incorporated into lunar nomenclature by the Italian astronomer Giovanni Riccioli in 1651 as 'Bianchinus'.[8] Its modern designation was formally adopted by the International Astronomical Union in 1935.[1]
Satellite craters
By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Bianchini.[9]
| Bianchini[7]: 293 | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | 47.6° N | 35.8° W | 7 km |
| G | 46.7° N | 32.7° W | 4 km |
| H | 48.0° N | 32.7° W | 7 km |
| M | 48.4° N | 30.6° W | 4 km |
| N | 48.5° N | 31.0° W | 5 km |
| W | 48.5° N | 33.7° W | 9 km |