Delisle (crater)
Crater on the Moon
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Delisle is a small lunar impact crater in the western part of the Mare Imbrium. It lies to the north of the crater Diophantus,[4] and just to the northwest of the ridge designated Mons Delisle.[5] Between Delisle and Diophantus is a sinuous rille named Rima Diophantus, with a diameter of 150 km.[6] To the northeast is another rille designated Rima Delisle, named after this crater.[7]
Apollo 15 image | |
| Coordinates | 29.9°N 34.6°W |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 24.83 km (15.43 mi)[1] |
| Depth | 2.42 km (1.50 mi)[2] |
| Colongitude | 35° at sunrise |
| Formation | Eratosthenian[3] |
| Eponym | Joseph-Nicolas Delisle |
On the lunar geologic timescale, Delisle dates to the Eratosthenian period.[3] It formed in the basaltic lava flows of Mare Imbrium and has not been significantly modified by subsequent processes.[8] The rim of Delisle is somewhat polygonal in form and it has a low central rise on the floor. There is some slight slumping along the inner wall, but overall the rim is still relatively fresh with little appearance of significant wear.[9]: 296 The outer rim is surrounded by a rampart and skirt of hummocky terrain, formed from the impact ejecta.[8]
This formation is named after French astronomer Joseph-Nicolas Delisle (1688-1768).[1] His name was included in the lunar nomenclature of German amateur astronomer Johann H. Schröter as "de l'Isle" in 1791.[10] Its modern designation was officially adopted by the International Astronomical Union in 1935.[1] However, some sources continue to use the older name style.[4]
