Furnerius (crater)

lunar crater data
latitude=36.3
N_or_S=S
longitude=60.4
E_or_W=E
diameter=125 km
depth=3.5 km
colong=300
eponym=Georges Furner

Furnerius is a large lunar crater located in the southeast part of the Moon, in the area close to the southwestern limb. Because of its location, the crater appears oval in shape due to foreshortening but is actually nearly circular. Notable nearby craters include Stevinus to the northwest and Fraunhofer to the south-southwest. Further to the northwest is Snellius crater and the Vallis Snellius crater valley.

The rim of Furnerius is worn and battered, with multiple impacts along its length and notches along the base. Much wall now rises only slightly above the surrounding terrain, with the lowest sections to the north and south. However the northern wall rises to a maximum elevation of 3.5 km.

The interior floor is marked by fourteen notable craters, the most notable being 'Furnerius B' in the northern half which has a central rise. Dark patches on the floor indicate areas resurfaced by lava. In the northeast part of the floor is a rille designated "Rima Furnelius". This cleft is about 50 kilometers in length and follows a course to the northwest where it reaches the north rim of the crater.

In Johann H. Schröter's lunar study of 1791, he sketched this crater with a low dome in the southern half. This feature has proven difficult to identify in subsequent lunar photographs and observations.

The Japanese satellite named Hiten crash-landed in the vicinity of this crater in 1993.

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 Furnerius crater.

References

External links

* [http://www.mikeoates.org/mas/cn/furnerius/ The Lunar Crater Furnerius and the Mystery of Schroters Dome] (accessed 9/15/05)