Zwicky (crater)

Zwicky is a lunar impact crater that is located on the far side of the Moon.^[3] It lies to the west of the crater Aitken, and is attached to the western rim of Vertregt. Attached to the northern end of Zwicky is Heaviside. Zwicky is a considerably eroded formation with an irregular rim and interior. Portions of the southern rim still survive, but the remainder has been almost completely eradicated.

Coordinates16.17°S 167.64°E / -16.17; 167.64

Diameter126.06 km (78.33 mi)

Depth4.0 km (2.5 mi)^[1][2]

Colongitude192° at sunrise

Quick facts Coordinates, Diameter ...

Zwicky

Crater Zwicky (big eroded crater in the bottom and center of the image) as seen by a mapping camera attached to the Service Module of Apollo 17
Coordinates	16.17°S 167.64°E / -16.17; 167.64
Diameter	126.06 km (78.33 mi)
Depth	4.0 km (2.5 mi)[1][2]
Colongitude	192° at sunrise
Eponym	Fritz Zwicky (astronomer)

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The satellite crater Zwicky N, located in the midst of the interior of Zwicky, has a relatively dark floor by comparison with the surrounding terrain. This smaller crater has a polygonal outline with relatively smooth inner walls. The interior floor is a lower albedo material that has a fractured surface.^[4] It is thought that this is caused by the cooling of molten material, or possibly tectonic movement. This is referred to informally as a "turtleback crater floor".

The crater was named in 1974 by the IAU^[5] after astronomer Fritz Zwicky (1898–1974), a professor at Caltech, Pasadena, and pioneer in the study of supernovae and of galaxy clusters. The minor planet 1803 Zwicky is also named in his honour.^[6]

Zwicky crater was known as Crater 306 prior to naming.^[7]