Cavalerius (crater)

lunar crater data
latitude=5.1
N_or_S=N
longitude=66.8
E_or_W=W
diameter=58 km
depth=3.0 km
colong=67
eponym=Buonaventura Cavalieri

Cavalerius is a prominent lunar impact crater that lies on the western edge of the Oceanus Procellarum lunar mare on the west part of the visible Moon. It nearly joins the northern rim of Hevelius crater to the south.

The rim of Cavalerius is relatively high, rising to over 3 kilometers in places. There are clefts in the northern and southern parts of the rim and inner walls. Parts of the inner sides are . The interior floor has mixed low hills and level areas. In the mid-point of the crater floor is a low central peak, with neighboring ridges to the north and east.

Northeast of this crater is the site designated "Planitia Descensus", the landing site of the Soviet Luna 9 probe. This is the first vehicle to perform a soft-landing on the Moon. It lies among some low ridges along the edge of the Oceanus Procellarum.

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 Cavalerius crater.

References