Snellius (crater)
Encyclopedia
Snellius is a lunar
crater
located near the southeast limb of the Moon
. Because of foreshortening the crater appears oval in shape, although it is actually nearly round. To the northeast is the large crater Petavius
. South of Snellius is the crater Stevinus
.
The rim of Snellius is heavily worn and eroded, with overlapping craterlets. The floor is somewhat irregular and uneven. The western rim marks the start of the Vallis Snellius
, one of the longest valleys on the Moon
. It continues nearly 500 kilometers to the northwest to near the edge of Mare Nectaris
. Its origin is most likely associated with the formation of the lunar mare
.
Just to the northwest is Snellius A, a crater with a notable ray system
that overlaps ths southwest reaches of Mare Fecunditatis
to the north.
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...
located near the southeast 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...
. Because of foreshortening the crater appears oval in shape, although it is actually nearly round. To the northeast is the large crater Petavius
Petavius (crater)
Petavius is a large lunar impact crater located to the southeast of the Mare Fecunditatis, near the southeastern lunar limb. Attached to the northwest rim is the smaller crater Wrottesley. To the southeast are Palitzsch, Vallis Palitzsch, and Hase. Farther to the north is the large crater Vendelinus...
. South of Snellius is the crater Stevinus
Stevinus (crater)
Stevinus is a lunar impact crater located in the southeast part of the Moon. To the southeast is the large crater Furnerius. Just to the northeast is Snellius and the Vallis Snellius crater valley. To the west-northwest lies Reichenbach...
.
The rim of Snellius is heavily worn and eroded, with overlapping craterlets. The floor is somewhat irregular and uneven. The western rim marks the start of the Vallis Snellius
Vallis Snellius
Vallis Snellius is a linear valley on the near side of the Moon. It is located in the rugged southeastern part of the visible surface, to the south of the Mare Fecunditatis. This feature is radial to the Mare Nectaris basin to the west-northwest, much like Vallis Rheita to the southwest, and the...
, one of the longest valleys on 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 continues nearly 500 kilometers to the northwest to near the edge of Mare Nectaris
Mare Nectaris
The Sea of Nectar is a small lunar mare or sea located between the Sea of Tranquillity and the Sea of Fecundity . Montes Pyrenaeus borders the mare to the west and the large crater near the south center of the mare is known as Rosse...
. Its origin is most likely associated with the formation of the lunar 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...
.
Just to the northwest is Snellius A, a crater with a notable ray system
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...
that overlaps ths southwest reaches of 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...
to the north.
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 Snellius.| Snellius | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 27.4° S | 53.8° E | 37 km |
| B | 30.1° S | 53.1° E | 29 km |
| C | 29.0° S | 51.5° E | 9 km |
| D | 28.7° S | 51.5° E | 9 km |
| E | 28.0° S | 51.5° E | 12 km |
| X | 27.4° S | 55.1° E | 7 km |
| Y | 25.7° S | 52.2° E | 10 km |