La Caille (crater)

lunar crater data
latitude=23.8
N_or_S=S
longitude=1.1
E_or_W=E
diameter=68 km
depth=2.8 km
colong=358
eponym=Nicolas L. de Lacaille

La Caille is a lunar crater located in the rugged south-central highlands of the Moon. It is located to the northeast of Purbach crater. Nearly attached to the southeast rim are the remains of Blanchinus crater, and the two are separated by a rugged stretch of terrain. To the northeast is Delaunay crater, a formation split in half by a ridge.

The floor of La Caille has been flooded in the past by lava, and the surface is relatively smooth and flat with no central rise. Only a few tiny craterlets along the north and northwest edges disrupt the surface. Ray material lies across the central and southern oarts of the floor, most likely from Tycho crater to the southwest.

The rim of this crater is heavily worn and battered, with notches around the interior edge and craters across the top and along the exterior. The most notable of these is 'La Caille B' which lies across the eastern rim.

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 La Caille crater.

References