Einstein (crater)
Encyclopedia
Einstein is a large lunar
crater
that lies along the western limb of the Moon
, making it difficult to observe from the Earth
. The visibility of this formation is affected by libration
effects, but even under the best conditions not much detail can be observed except from lunar orbit. Nearby craters of note include Moseley
just to the north, Dalton
along the eastern rim, Vasco da Gama
just to the southeast, and Bohr
to the south-southeast. The formation Vallis Bohr
is visible to the south.
The outer rim of this walled plain has been all but obliterated by many small impacts. Only along the eastern wall, where it joins Dalton crater, does a significant rim still survive. Occupying the center of the interior floor is Einstein A, an impact crater with terraced inner walls and a central peak. The outer rampart of this concentric crater spreads across the interior floor, covering over half the diameter of Einstein. Several smaller craters also lie scattered across the floor, but there are sections of relatively flat surface in the southwest part of the floor.
Because it is only visible under very favorable conditions, this crater was only discovered as recently as 1952 by Patrick Moore
. The original name for this formation was 'Caramuel', but it was later changed to Einstein by the IAU
.
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...
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 lies along the western limb 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...
, making it difficult to observe from the Earth
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun, and the densest and fifth-largest of the eight planets in the Solar System. It is also the largest of the Solar System's four terrestrial planets...
. The visibility of this formation is affected by 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:...
effects, but even under the best conditions not much detail can be observed except from lunar orbit. Nearby craters of note include Moseley
Moseley (crater)
Moseley is a worn lunar impact crater that lies along the western limb of the Moon. It lies just to the south of the crater Bartels, and near the north-northeastern rim of Einstein. Due to its location, this crater is viewed side-on from Earth, and not much detail can be seen...
just to the north, Dalton
Dalton (crater)
Dalton is a lunar impact crater that is located near the western limb of the Moon's near side. It is attached to the eastern rim of the walled plain Einstein, with Balboa lying just to the north and Vasco da Gama due south. The rim of this crater is not heavily eroded, and the interior walls are...
along the eastern rim, Vasco da Gama
Vasco da Gama (crater)
Vasco da Gama is a lunar impact crater that is located near the western limb of the Moon. It is named for the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama. It lies to the south of the walled plain Einstein, due south of Dalton...
just to the southeast, and Bohr
Bohr (crater)
Bohr is a lunar crater that is located near the western lunar limb, in the area that is affected by librations. It is attached to the southwestern rim of the larger, eroded Vasco da Gama formation, and to the southeast of the crater Einstein....
to the south-southeast. The formation Vallis Bohr
Vallis Bohr
Vallis Bohr is a valley on the Moon stretching due south of the crater Einstein. This wide cleft has a length of about 80 kilometers, and is radial to the Mare Orientale impact basin further to the south. The selenographic coordinates of this feature are ....
is visible to the south.
The outer rim of this walled plain has been all but obliterated by many small impacts. Only along the eastern wall, where it joins Dalton crater, does a significant rim still survive. Occupying the center of the interior floor is Einstein A, an impact crater with terraced inner walls and a central peak. The outer rampart of this concentric crater spreads across the interior floor, covering over half the diameter of Einstein. Several smaller craters also lie scattered across the floor, but there are sections of relatively flat surface in the southwest part of the floor.
Because it is only visible under very favorable conditions, this crater was only discovered as recently as 1952 by Patrick Moore
Patrick Moore
Sir Patrick Alfred Caldwell-Moore, CBE, FRS, FRAS is a British amateur astronomer who has attained prominent status in astronomy as a writer, researcher, radio commentator and television presenter of the subject, and who is credited as having done more than any other person to raise the profile of...
. The original name for this formation was 'Caramuel', but it was later changed to Einstein 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...
.
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 Einstein.| Einstein | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 16.7° N | 88.2° W | 51 km |
| R | 13.9° N | 91.8° W | 20 km |
| S | 15.1° N | 91.5° W | 20 km |