Cleomedes (crater)

Cleomedes is a prominent lunar impact crater located in the northeast part of the visible Moon, to the north of Mare Crisium.^[3] It is surrounded by rough ground with multiple crater impacts. The irregular crater Tralles intrudes into the northwest rim.^[4] To the east is Delmotte. North of Cleomedes is a triple-crater formation with Burckhardt occupying the center.

Coordinates27.60°N 55.50°E / 27.60; 55.50

Diameter130.77 km (81.26 mi)^[1]

Depth2.7 km (1.7 mi)

Colongitude304° at sunrise

Quick facts Coordinates, Diameter ...

Cleomedes

LRO mosaic
Coordinates	27.60°N 55.50°E / 27.60; 55.50
Diameter	130.77 km (81.26 mi)[1]
Depth	2.7 km (1.7 mi)
Colongitude	304° at sunrise
Formation	Nectarian[2]
Eponym	Cleomedes

Close

On the lunar geologic timescale, Cleomedes is one of the largest craters of Nectarian age.^[2] The outer wall of Cleomedes is heavily worn and eroded, especially along the southern part of the wall. Cleomedes C lies across the south-southwest rim. The crater floor is nearly flat, with a small central peak to the north of the midpoint, forming a linear ridge toward the north-northeast.^[5]: 44 The infrared spectrum of pure crystalline plagioclase has been identified on the central peak.^[6] There are several notable craterlets on the floor, including a pair of overlapping craters just inside the northwest rim.

A rille named Rima Cleomedes crosses the northern floor, running southeast from the northwest rim. This rille branches in a fork after crossing the crater mid-line.^[7] Smaller clefts lie in the southeast part of the floor. A pair of lunar domes have been identified to the south of Cleomedes crater.^[8]

This formation is named after the Greek astronomer Cleomedes (unkn-c. 50 B.C.). His name was included in the lunar nomenclature of the Italian astronomer Giovanni B. Riccioli in 1651.^[9] Its designation was formally adopted by the International Astronomical Union in 1935.^[1]