Rutherfurd (crater)
Encyclopedia
Rutherfurd is a lunar
impact crater
located entirely within the southern rim of the much larger crater Clavius
. The crater Porter
is located to the north-northeast of Rutherfurd, on the northeastern rim of Clavius. Rutherfurd forms the larger member in an arcing chain of craters of decreasing size that curves across the floor of Clavius. The craters in this chain do not appear to be the same age, so this formation is most likely random in nature.
Rutherfurd is somewhat oval in shape, with the long axis oriented approximately in a north–south direction. The northern outer ramparts have a series of radiating ridges on the floor of Clavius. The rim overlies the inner wall of Clavius, and thus the rim of Rutherfurd is higher above the surface along the north and west sides. The floor is irregular in shape, and there is a central peak somewhat offset to the northeast. The ejecta pattern, oblong shape, and location of the central peak indicate the original impact may have been at a low angle from the southeast.
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...
located entirely within the southern rim of the much larger crater Clavius
Clavius (crater)
Clavius is one of the largest crater formations on the Moon, and it is the third largest crater on the visible near side. It is located in the rugged southern highlands of the Moon, to the south of the prominent ray crater Tycho.- Description :...
. The crater Porter
Porter (lunar crater)
Porter is a lunar impact crater that is located in the southern part of the Moon, and lies across the northwestern rim of the huge walled plain Clavius. Although generally circular, the form of this crater has been modified by the geometry of the surface on which it was formed. The outer rim is...
is located to the north-northeast of Rutherfurd, on the northeastern rim of Clavius. Rutherfurd forms the larger member in an arcing chain of craters of decreasing size that curves across the floor of Clavius. The craters in this chain do not appear to be the same age, so this formation is most likely random in nature.
Rutherfurd is somewhat oval in shape, with the long axis oriented approximately in a north–south direction. The northern outer ramparts have a series of radiating ridges on the floor of Clavius. The rim overlies the inner wall of Clavius, and thus the rim of Rutherfurd is higher above the surface along the north and west sides. The floor is irregular in shape, and there is a central peak somewhat offset to the northeast. The ejecta pattern, oblong shape, and location of the central peak indicate the original impact may have been at a low angle from the southeast.
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 Rutherfurd.| Rutherfurd | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 62.2° S | 11.9° W | 10 km |
| B | 62.6° S | 11.4° W | 6 km |
| C | 62.5° S | 10.7° W | 14 km |
| D | 63.2° S | 8.8° W | 8 km |
| E | 62.8° S | 8.3° W | 9 km |