Poinsot (crater)

Summary

Poinsot is a worn lunar impact crater that is located at the northern part of the Moon on the far side. It lies to the south of the walled plain Rozhdestvenskiy. To the south is the smaller crater Heymans.

Poinsot
Clementine mosaic
Coordinates79°30′N 145°42′W / 79.5°N 145.7°W / 79.5; -145.7
Diameter68 km
DepthUnknown
Colongitude146° at sunrise
EponymLouis Poinsot

This formation has been heavily worn by subsequent impacts, leaving a round-shouldered outer rim that is nearly even with the surrounding terrain and an inner surface that slopes down to the floor without terraces or horizontal features. A number of tiny craterlets lie along the rim edge and inner walls, as well as across the level interior surface. The floor lacks a central peak at the midpoint, but has a small but notable crater lying next to the western inner wall.

Satellite craters edit

By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Poinsot.

Poinsot Latitude Longitude Diameter
E 80.2° N 129.8° W 25 km
K 77.6° N 141.3° W 16 km
P 77.2° N 149.7° W 27 km

References edit

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  • McDowell, Jonathan (July 15, 2007). "Lunar Nomenclature". Jonathan's Space Report. Retrieved 2007-10-24.
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  • Wlasuk, Peter T. (2000). Observing the Moon. Springer. ISBN 978-1-85233-193-1.