Maclaurin (crater)

lunar crater data
latitude=1.9
N_or_S=S
longitude=68.0
E_or_W=E
diameter=50 km
depth=1.5 km
colong=292
eponym=Colin Maclaurin

Maclaurin is a lunar impact crater that is located in the eastern part of the Moon's near side. It lies just to the southeast of the small Mare Spumans, and to the northeast of the prominent Langrenus crater. To the east-southeast is Gilbert crater.

The rim of this crater is perhaps unusual for the number of lesser craters attached to the exterior. Along the northern rim are the lava-flooded 'Maclaurin O' and 'Maclaurin K'. There are also satellite craters along the northeaster, east, and southern walls. The only open stretches of rim are along the western side, and a brief stretch to the southeast. The three craters along the southern rim, which include 'Maclaurin A' and 'Maclaurin N', have intruded into the formation sufficiently to compress and slightly flatten that end of the crater. But overall it retains a generally circular form.

The inner walls cut down to a gently descending slope that extends toward the flattened mid-section. The middle portion of the interior floor has been resurfaced, possibly by basaltic-lava, leaving a lower albedo patch with a slightly darkened hue. At the mid-point of the crater interior is a low central ridge.

atellite 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 Maclaurin crater.

The following craters have been renamed by the IAU.
* Maclaurin F — "See" Von Behring crater
* Maclaurin R — "See" Morley crater
* Maclaurin S — "See" Hargreaves crater
* Maclaurin Y — "See" Born crater

References