Hale (lunar crater)

lunar crater data


caption=Illustration of Hale crater.
latitude=74.2
N_or_S=S
longitude=90.8
E_or_W=E
diameter=83 km
depth="Unknown"
colong=273
eponym=George E. Hale
William Hale

Hale is a relatively young lunar impact crater that is located on the southern limb of the Moon. Over half the crater lies on the far side of the Moon, and from the Earth this formation is viewed from the side. Thus the crater must be viewed from orbit in order to discern much detail. The nearest crater of note is Wexler to the north. To the east on the far side is the huge Schrödinger walled-plain, and to the southwest is Demonax crater.

The rim of Hale crater is well-defined, with little wear from later impacts, but has a somewhat irregular, notched perimeter. The inner surface is multiply d with some indications of slumping. The inner floor is flat with only a few tiny craterlets to mark the surface. Near the mid-point of the interior is a complex central peak formation, with an additional low rise just to the north.

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 Hale crater.

References