Al-Marrakushi (crater)
Encyclopedia
Al-Marrakushi is a small, relatively isolated lunar
impact crater
in the eastern Mare Fecunditatis
. It is a circular, symmetrical formation, with inner walls that slope down to the mid-point. To the northeast is the prominent crater Langrenus
. The mare
near Al-Marrakushi is marked by ray material
from its larger neighbor.
This crater was identified as Langrenus D until it was given a name by the IAU
. It was named after Ibn al-Banna al-Marrakushi (c. 1256 – c. 1321).
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...
impact crater
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...
in the eastern Mare Fecunditatis
Mare Fecunditatis
Mare Fecunditatis is a lunar mare which is 840 km in diameter. The Fecuditatis basin formed in the Pre-Nectarian epoch, while the basin material surrounding the mare is of the...
. It is a circular, symmetrical formation, with inner walls that slope down to the mid-point. To the northeast is the prominent crater Langrenus
Langrenus (crater)
Langrenus is a prominent impact crater located near the eastern lunar limb. The feature is circular in shape, but appears oblong due to foreshortening. It lies on the eastern shore of the Mare Fecunditatis...
. The mare
Lunar mare
The lunar maria are large, dark, basaltic plains on Earth's Moon, formed by ancient volcanic eruptions. They were dubbed maria, Latin for "seas", by early astronomers who mistook them for actual seas. They are less reflective than the "highlands" as a result of their iron-rich compositions, and...
near Al-Marrakushi is marked by ray material
Ray system
A ray system comprises radial streaks of fine ejecta thrown out during the formation of an impact crater, looking a bit like many thin spokes coming from the hub of a wheel. The rays can extend for lengths up to several times the diameter of their originating crater, and are often accompanied by...
from its larger neighbor.
This crater was identified as Langrenus D until it was given a name by the IAU
International Astronomical Union
The International Astronomical Union IAU is a collection of professional astronomers, at the Ph.D. level and beyond, active in professional research and education in astronomy...
. It was named after Ibn al-Banna al-Marrakushi (c. 1256 – c. 1321).