Lassell (lunar crater)

lunar crater data
latitude=15.5
N_or_S=S
longitude=7.9
E_or_W=W
diameter=23 km
depth=0.9 km
colong=8
eponym=William Lassell

Lassell is a small lunar crater that is located in the eastern part of the Mare Nubium. It lies to the west of the Alpetragius crater, and southwest of the Alphonsus walled-basin.

The interior of Lassell crater has been flooded and resurfaced by lava, leaving a nearly flat surface with a low remaining outer rim. The surface has a low albedo, giving the interior a dark appearance. The surviving outer wall is generally circular but with a somewhat polygonal shape.

To the east-northeast is a circular, bowl-shaped crater designated 'Lassell B'. This formation has a higher albedo than its surroundings and so appears relatively bright, especially at high sun angles.

The tiny crater 'Lassell D' is located to the west-northwest of Lassell, about half way toward the ruined Guericke crater. This craterlet is surrounded by a patch of high albedo surface, and is an example of a prominent lunar bright patch. The light hue is thought to be an indication of recent formation, at least in lunar geologic terms.

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 Lassell crater.

References