Scott (crater)

lunar crater data
latitude=81.9
N_or_S=S
longitude=45.3
E_or_W=E
diameter=108 km
depth="Unknown"
colong=325
eponym=Robert F. Scott

Scott is a lunar impact crater near the south pole of the Moon. Its location close to the lunar limb hinders observation of this formation, both from the foreshortening of the crater as seen from Earth and from the limited sunlight that enters the basin. In fact the northern end of this crater is in near perpetual darkness, and has not been mapped in detail. Scott lies between the similar-dimensioned Amundsen crater to the southeast and Schomberger crater to the northwest. Just to the northeast is the Demonax crater.

The rim of this crater has been heavily eroded and the features are worn and irregular, although the crater basin remains roughly circular. There are several crater formations attached to the west and northwest outer rim, the most well-formed of which is the satellite crater 'Scott E'. There is also small crater along the southeast inner wall, and several tiny craterlets across the inner floor. The interior surface is rougher at the south end, and grows smoother and flatter toward the shadow-cloaked north end. There is no central peak at the crater mid-point.

The placement of the Scott crater, both in relation to the Amundsen crater and the lunar south pole, is interesting in how it relates to the antarctic explorers Roald Amundsen and Robert Falcon Scott, and their race to be the first humans to reach the south pole of the Earth.

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 Scott crater.

The following craters have been renamed by the IAU.

* Scott A — "See" Nobile crater.

References