Hamilton (crater)

lunar crater data
latitude=42.8
N_or_S=S
longitude=84.7
E_or_W=E
diameter=57 km
depth="Unknown"
colong=279
eponym=William R. Hamilton

Hamilton is a lunar impact crater that is located near the southeastern limb of the Moon. From the Earth this crater is viewed nearly from the edge, limiting the amount of detail that can be observed. It can also become hidden from sight due to libration, or brought into a more favorably viewing position.

This crater is situated almost due east of the lava-flooded Oken crater, near the uneven Mare Australe. To the northeast of Hamilton, along the lunar limb, is the flooded Gum crater. Less than three crater diameters to the south is the flooded Lyot walled plain.

This is a nearly circular crater, although the rim to the north is somewhat straightened. It has a well-formed edge that has not been noticeably degraded through impact erosion. There are s along the interior sides, particularly along the western edge (which is hidden from view from the Earth.) The interior floor is deep and uneven, with an impact feature joining the mid-point to the north-northwestern inner wall.

To the east and southeast of this crater is a larger, arcing feature that resembles the remains of an old crater. Hamilton lies concentric with the circle in the surface that would be described by this arc. However only the eastern portion of the old rim survives.

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 Hamilton crater.

References