Russell (lunar crater)

lunar crater data
latitude=26.5
N_or_S=N
longitude=75.4
E_or_W=W
diameter=103 km
depth="None"
colong=78
eponym=Henry Norris Russell
John Russell

Russell is the lava-flooded remains of a lunar impact crater. It is located in the western part of the Oceanus Procellarum, close to the western lunar limb. As a result it appears oblong-shaped due to foreshortening.

The south-southwestern rim of Russell overlaps the larger rim of the lava-flooded crater Struve, and together the two crater rims form a figure-8 outline with a wide gap where they are joined. To the east of Russell is Briggs, and to the southeast, adjacent to Struve, is the lava-flooded remains of a crater called Eddington.

The rim of Russell is heavily worn and irregular in form, with multiple crater impacts overlaying the wall. The largest of these is Briggs A on the eastern rim. To the north of Russell are the flooded remnants of several smaller craters. Russell's lava-flooded floor is flat and level with the surrounding "maria". It lacks a central peak.

In the past this crater was sometimes designated as Otto Struve A, or just assumed to be part of the larger Struve. The crater Eddington to the southeast has also been designated as Otto Struve A on old lunar maps.

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 Russell.

References