Atlas (crater)
Encyclopedia
Atlas is a prominent lunar
impact crater
that is located in the northeast part of the Moon
, to the southeast of Mare Frigoris
. Just to the west is the slightly smaller but still prominent crater Hercules
. Northeast of Atlas is the large Endymion
.
The inner wall of Atlas is multiply terraced and the edge slumped, forming a sharp-edged lip. This is a floor-fractured crater with a rough and hilly interior that has a lighter albedo
than the surroundings. Floor-fractures are usually created as a result of volcanic modifications.
There are two dark patches along the inner edge of the walls; one along the north edge and another besides the southeast edges. A system of slender clefts named the Rimae Atlas crosses the crater floor, and were created by volcanism. Along the north and northeastern inner sides are a handful of dark-halo craters, most likely due to eruptions. Around the mid-point is a cluster of low central hills arranged in a circular formation.
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...
that is located in the northeast part 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...
, to the southeast of Mare Frigoris
Mare Frigoris
Mare Frigoris is a lunar mare located just north of Mare Imbrium, and stretches east to north of Mare Serenitatis. The mare is in the outer rings of the Procellarum basin...
. Just to the west is the slightly smaller but still prominent crater Hercules
Hercules (crater)
Hercules is a prominent crater located in the northwest part of the Moon, to the east of the crater Atlas. It lies along the east edge of a southward extension in the Mare Frigoris. To the west across the mare is Bürg. To the south is the ruined crater Williams.The interior walls of Hercules have...
. Northeast of Atlas is the large Endymion
Endymion (crater)
Endymion is a lunar crater that lies near the northeast limb of the Moon. It is located to the east of Mare Frigoris, and north of the Lacus Temporis. To the southwest is the somewhat smaller crater Atlas. Because of its location, Endymion has an oval appearance from foreshortening...
.
The inner wall of Atlas is multiply terraced and the edge slumped, forming a sharp-edged lip. This is a floor-fractured crater with a rough and hilly interior that has a lighter albedo
Albedo
Albedo , or reflection coefficient, is the diffuse reflectivity or reflecting power of a surface. It is defined as the ratio of reflected radiation from the surface to incident radiation upon it...
than the surroundings. Floor-fractures are usually created as a result of volcanic modifications.
There are two dark patches along the inner edge of the walls; one along the north edge and another besides the southeast edges. A system of slender clefts named the Rimae Atlas crosses the crater floor, and were created by volcanism. Along the north and northeastern inner sides are a handful of dark-halo craters, most likely due to eruptions. Around the mid-point is a cluster of low central hills arranged in a circular formation.
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 Atlas.| Atlas | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 45.3° N | 49.6° E | 22 km |
| B | 50.4° N | 49.6° E | 25 km |
| C | 48.6° N | 42.5° E | 58 km |
| D | 50.7° N | 46.5° E | 23 km |
| E | 51.3° N | 48.6° E | 6 km |
| F | 49.6° N | 52.7° E | 27 km |
| G | 44.4° N | 44.2° E | 4 km |
| H | 45.1° N | 45.0° E | 5 km |