Mercator
Contents
Mercator
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Lat: 29.3°S, Long: 26.1°W, Diam: 46 km, Depth: 1.1 km, Rükl 53, Nectarian |
Images
LPOD Photo Gallery Lunar Orbiter Images
Maps
(LAC zone 94D4) LAC map Geologic map
Description
Description: Elger
(IAU Directions) MERCATOR.--A more irregular ring-plain of about the same area, adjoining Campanus on the S.E. Its rampart is somewhat lower, and is partially broken on the N. by two semi-rings, and on the S. by a gap. The W. wall extends on the S. far beyond the limits of the formation, and terminates in a brilliant mountain mass 6,000 feet in height. There is a bright crater on the crest of both the W. and E. border. On the plain W. of Mercator is a remarkable little crater standing on a light area, and, just under the wall, a dusky pit connected with it by a rill-like marking. These objects are of a very doubtful nature, and should be carefully observed. The floor of Mercator is much lighter than that of Campanus, and appears to be devoid of detail.
Description: Wikipedia
Additional Information
- Depth data from Kurt Fisher database
- Pike, 1976: 1.1 km
- Arthur, 1974: 2.3 km
- Westfall, 2000: 1.1 km
- Viscardy, 1985: 1.76 km
- Cherrington, 1969: 1.31 km
- Satellite crater Mercator A is on the ALPO list of bright ray craters.
Nomenclature
- Named for Gerardus Mercator (Gerard de Cremere) (March 5, 1512 – December 2, 1594), a Flemish cartographer, geographer and mathematician . He is remembered for the Mercator chart named after him. Mercator devised a technique to produce globes— celestial as well as terrestrial— by techniques of relative mass production.
- Danny Caes calls satellite crater Mercator A "The X-crater" because of the curious X-shaped system of dark bands on its inner slopes. See: Clementine's close-up, and also the LRO's low-res view of it at LON: -27.8, LAT: -30.7 (32 M/PIX), on the ACT-REACT Quick Map. [[user:DannyCaes|1207407250]
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Marth (6,5 km) at SW and Mercator A (8,2 km) at NE from LRO (local noon).
Lettered Craters
Excerpt from the USGS Digital Atlas of the Moon.
LPOD Articles
Bibliography
- Hill, Harold. A Portfolio of Lunar Drawings, pages 112, 113.
