Goldschmidt (crater)

lunar crater data
latitude=73.0
N_or_S=N
longitude=3.8
E_or_W=W
diameter=113 km
depth=2.0 km
colong=3
eponym=Hermann Goldschmidt

Goldschmidt is a large lunar crater of the variety commonly termed a walled-plain. It lies in the northern part of the Moon's near side, and appears oval in shape due to foreshortening. The rim is actually relatively circular, although the western rim is overlaid by the prominent Anaxagoras crater. Nearly attached to the southeast rim is Barrow crater, and the two formations are separated by a rugged rise about 30 kilometers across. Further to the south is the Epigenes crater.

The heavily eroded outer rim of Goldschmidt is rugged and irregular, with an inner wall that is incised in several locations by small impacts. Much of the western rim no longer exists, due to the overlapping Anaxagoras and the smaller 'Anaxagoras A' craters, and the "ejecta" from these formations covers the western third of the interior floor. The remaining floor is nearly level and flat, most likely due to having been resurfaced by lava flows. However the surface is now pock-marked by a multitude of tiny craterlets, the most prominent being the small 'Goldschmidt A'.

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 Goldschmidt crater.

References