Linné (crater)

lunar crater data


caption=Lunar crater Linné from orbit. "NASA photo."
latitude=27.7
N_or_S=N
longitude=11.8
E_or_W=E
diameter=2.4 km
depth=0.6 km
colong=348
eponym=Carl von Linné

Linné is a small lunar impact crater located in the western Mare Serenitatis. The "mare" around this feature is virtually devoid of other features of interest. The nearest named crater is Banting to the east-southeast.

The estimated age of this crater is only a few tens of millions of years. It has a bowl shape, and is surrounded by a blanket of "ejecta" formed during the original impact. This "ejecta" has a relatively high albedo, making the feature appear bright.

In 1866, the experienced lunar observer and mapmaker Johann Friedrich Julius Schmidt made the surprising claim that Linné had changed its appearance. Instead of a normal, somewhat deep crater it had become a mere white patch. A controversy arose that continued for many decades. However, this crater size tests the limit of visual perception of Earth-based telescopes. In conditions of poor seeing this feature can appear to vanish from sight [http://www.astrosurf.com/lunascan/Linncont.htm] (see also transient lunar phenomenon).

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 Linné.

The following craters have been renamed by the IAU.

* Linné E — "See" Banting (crater).

References

External links

* [http://www.lpi.usra.edu/resources/mapcatalog/LTO/lto42a4_2/ LTO-42A4 Linne] — L&PI topographic map