Doerfel (crater)
Encyclopedia
Doerfel is a lunar
impact crater
that is located in the vicinity of the southern pole, just on the far side of the Moon
. It lies approximately midway between the large crater Hausen
to the east-northeast and the even larger Zeeman
to the southwest.
The outer wall of Doerfel retains much of its original form, but it has been rounded and slightly eroded by a history of subsequent bombardment. Many tiny craterlets lie on or near the rim, especially along the westrern edge. There is a slight outward extrusion in the southern rim, and the opposite, northern rim appears somewhat jumbled and eroded.
Doerfel's interior is also marked by several tiny craterlets in the otherwise relatively flat surface. There is a very slight central rise near the mid-point.
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 vicinity of the southern pole, just 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...
. It lies approximately midway between the large crater Hausen
Hausen (crater)
Hausen is a large lunar impact crater that lies along the south-southwestern limb of the Moon. The visibility of this crater is significantly affected by libration effects, although even under the best of conditions it is viewed nearly from on edge. It lies along the western edge of the immense...
to the east-northeast and the even larger Zeeman
Zeeman (crater)
Zeeman is a lunar impact crater located on the far side of the Moon near its south pole. It is not directly visible from the Earth. To the northwest of Zeeman lies the crater Numerov. Southeast of the rim is the crater Ashbrook....
to the southwest.
The outer wall of Doerfel retains much of its original form, but it has been rounded and slightly eroded by a history of subsequent bombardment. Many tiny craterlets lie on or near the rim, especially along the westrern edge. There is a slight outward extrusion in the southern rim, and the opposite, northern rim appears somewhat jumbled and eroded.
Doerfel's interior is also marked by several tiny craterlets in the otherwise relatively flat surface. There is a very slight central rise near the mid-point.
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 Doerfel.| Doerfel | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| R | 71.3° S | 119.4° W | 32 km |
| S | 69.9° S | 119.6° W | 32 km |
| U | 68.8° S | 117.2° W | 34 km |
| Y | 67.8° S | 108.8° W | 68 km |