Gerard (crater)

lunar crater data
latitude=44.5
N_or_S=N
longitude=80.0
E_or_W=W
diameter=90 km
depth=2.2 km
colong=82
eponym=Alexander Gerard

Gerard is a lunar crater that lies along the western edge of the Oceanus Procellarum near the northwest limb of the Moon's near side. It is located to the north-northwest of the von Braun crater, and northeast of Bunsen crater. Because of its location, Gerard appears strongly foreshortened when viewed from the Earth, hindering observation.

This is a worn and eroded formation with a rim that has been nearly obliterated in some locations and distorted in others. The northern half of the rim has outward bulges to the northeast, north, and northwest. The interior floor is rough in places, with several small and tiny craters along the floor and the eastern rim. Attached to the northwest rim is the satellite crater 'Gerard Q', a formation that has its eastern floor covered in dark-hued basaltic-lava.

To the northwest of this formation and 'Gerard Q' is a system of rilles named the "Rimae Gerard". These extend for a distance of about 100 kilometers.

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 Gerard crater.

References