Capella (crater)
Lunar impact crater
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Capella is a lunar impact crater 48 km (30 mi)[1] in diameter that lies to the north of the Mare Nectaris, in a rugged region with many small impact craters.[3] It intrudes slightly into the eastern rim of the crater Isidorus,[4] a feature only slightly smaller in diameter.[5]: 79
Apollo 16 image | |
| Coordinates | 7.6°S 34.9°E |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 48.13 km (29.91 mi)[1] |
| Depth | 3.5 km (2.2 mi)[2] |
| Colongitude | 325° at sunrise |
| Eponym | Martianus Capella |
The outer circumferential wall of Capella is low but relatively thick and irregular,[6] with a large promontory intruding on the south-eastern side.[7] The crater is crossed by a deep rift, the Vallis Capella, which passes directly through Capella from the north rim through the southeast side of the wall, and extends out both sides for a combined distance of 110 kilometers. This feature was formed by a chain of craters.[8] In the middle of the crater is a wide, round peak rising 1.2 km above the crater floor, with a craterlet at the top.[9][7] The western side of the crater is dotted with impact debris, forming clusters of small hills.
This crater was named after Roman astronomer Martianus Capella (c. A.D. 400-unkn). Its designation was officially 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 Capella.[10]
| Capella[5]: 294 | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 7.6° S | 37.2° E | 13 km |
| B | 9.4° S | 36.8° E | 10 km |
| C | 5.7° S | 36.3° E | 11 km |
| D | 6.7° S | 37.6° E | 8 km |
| E | 7.5° S | 37.7° E | 16 km |
| F | 9.2° S | 35.4° E | 14 km |
| G | 6.8° S | 36.9° E | 12 km |
| H | 8.1° S | 37.4° E | 9 km |
| J | 9.4° S | 36.0° E | 9 km |
| M | 4.4° S | 37.0° E | 12 km |
| R | 6.0° S | 35.2° E | 7 km |
| T | 6.9° S | 34.2° E | 6 km |
