Al-Biruni (crater)
Encyclopedia
Al-Biruni is an impact crater
that lies on the far side of the Moon
, just beyond the eastern limb. This portion of the surface is sometimes brought into sight due to libration
s of the Moon, but due to its location the crater is viewed from the side. Al-Biruni lies to the south of the crater Joliot
, and to the northeast of Goddard
.
The rim of Al-Biruni forms a somewhat irregular circle, with a slight outward bulge in the northeast wall, and a somewhat wider inner wall to the west. The interior floor is relatively flat, with a few tiny craterlets to mark the surface. The most notable of these is Al-Biruni C near the northeast wall.
Impact crater
In the broadest sense, the term impact crater can be applied to any depression, natural or manmade, resulting from the high velocity impact of a projectile with a larger body...
that lies on the far side of the Moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
, just beyond the eastern limb. This portion of the surface is sometimes brought into sight due to libration
Libration
In astronomy, libration is an oscillating motion of orbiting bodies relative to each other, notably including the motion of the Moon relative to Earth, or of Trojan asteroids relative to planets.-Lunar libration:...
s of the Moon, but due to its location the crater is viewed from the side. Al-Biruni lies to the south of the crater Joliot
Joliot (crater)
Joliot is a large lunar impact crater that lies on the far side of the Moon, just past the eastern limb. At this location it lies in a region of the surface that comes into sight during a favorable libration, although at such times it is viewed from the side...
, and to the northeast of Goddard
Goddard (crater)
Goddard is a lunar crater that is located along the eastern limb of the Moon, and so is visible from the edge from Earth. It is best viewed during favorable librations when the orientation of the Moon brings it further into sight. The crater is located in the Mare Marginis, to the northeast of the...
.
The rim of Al-Biruni forms a somewhat irregular circle, with a slight outward bulge in the northeast wall, and a somewhat wider inner wall to the west. The interior floor is relatively flat, with a few tiny craterlets to mark the surface. The most notable of these is Al-Biruni C near the northeast wall.
Satellite craters
By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater mid-point that is closest to Al-Biruni.| Al-Biruni | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 18.4° N | 93.0° E | 9 km |