Aratus CA
Contents
Aratus CA (aka Lorca)
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Lat: 24.56°N, Long: 11.18°E, Diam: 2.08 km, Depth: km, Rükl: 23 |
Left: AS15-M-0580 It appears that the IAU name applies to the entire three-pointed depression seen in the lower part of this image. In this view, Vallis Christel, Vallis Krishna and Rima Sung-Mei should be viewed as IAU-named sub-components. Yoshi appears to be an unrelated impact crater, as is, possibly, the very non-descript Manuel. Dorsum Owen may or may not be related to Aratus CA.
Right: LROC NAC images M104447576LC and M104447576RC.
Images
LPOD Photo Gallery Lunar Orbiter Images Apollo Images
- Additional Lunar Orbiter Images:
- Aratus CA (labeled Krishna)
- High-Resolution scan of LO4-097-h3 with Aratus CA a little bit to the right of the frame's center.
- Apollo 15 frames AS15-P-9355 and AS15-P-9350
Maps
(LAC zone 41C1) LAC map Geologic map LM map LTO map 42-A4 Topophotomap (West half) Topophotomap (East half)
21st Century Atlas of the Moon (Wood/ Collins): Chart 11 (page 35), location 5-E (magnifying glass required!).
Description
Wikipedia
Additional Information
- IAU page: Aratus CA
- Although Aratus CA is basically a rimless depression, it can be seen as a bright dot when the sun is very low to the west. It would appear that the Sun's setting rays are able to shine down Vallis Christel and strike the east wall of the pit between Vallis Krishna and Rima Sung-Mei. - Jim Mosher
Nomenclature
- This is regarded as a satellite feature and hence is named for the "parent" crater, Aratus, even though it is at a considerable distance and unrelated to it.
- There is considerable confusion regarding the nomenclature of this feature. On several of the DMA-prepared NASA maps it is given the provisional name "Lorca" (used as the title for the Topophotomap sheets), and on two of the LM-series maps this name is even listed as "approved by the IAU". But it appears this is a clerical error and the name Lorca (an apparent reference to the Spanish writer) was never approved. - Jim Mosher
- The naming of sub-components of a named feature is rather unusual.
- Aratus CA is called Krishna on chart 23 in Antonin Rukl's Atlas of the Moon.- DannyCaes May 26, 2010
LROC Articles
Bibliography
- Greeley, R. (1976). Photogeology of Aratus CA, Mare Serenitatis. Abstracts of the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference 7 (2): 331. (Note: Greeley refers to the central pit as "Lorca" -- an impression he probably got from the placement of the label for that unapproved substitute name for Aratus CA on the topographic maps)
- APOLLO OVER THE MOON: A VIEW FROM ORBIT, Chapter 7; Unusual Features (part 1), Figure 223.
Named Features -- Prev: Aratus -- Next: Archerusia, Promontorium
