Chappe (crater)
Lunar surface depression
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Chappe is a degraded lunar impact crater that lies along the southwestern limb of the Moon. It is nearly attached to the northern limb of the walled plain designated Hausen,[2] and an equal distance from the crater Pilâtre to the northeast. To the north-northwest is Blanchard.[3] Chappe lies to the south of the Mendel-Rydberg Basin, a 630 km wide impact basin of Nectarian age.
Lunar Orbiter 4 image | |
| Coordinates | 61.29°S 91.24°W |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 55.79 km (34.67 mi)[1] |
| Depth | Unknown |
| Colongitude | 93° at sunrise |
| Eponym | J.-B. Chappe d'Auteroche |
This crater lies along the outer rampart of the much larger Hausen, and is surrounded by uneven, hummocky terrain. The rim is roughly circular, with a small crater lying along the eastern edge[4] – this feature includes a permanently shadowed region.[5] The inner walls and interior floor are uneven, particularly in the western half.[4]
Originally designated Hausen A,[4] this crater is named after French astronomer J.-B. Chappe d'Auteroche (1728-1769). He is best known for his observations of the transits of Venus in 1761 and 1769.[6][2] Its designation was officially adopted by the International Astronomical Union in 1994.[1]