Hecataeus (crater)

lunar crater data


caption=Hecataeus (center) and Humboldt (lower right) from Apollo 15. "NASA photo".
latitude=21.8
N_or_S=S
longitude=79.4
E_or_W=E
diameter=167 km
depth="Unknown"
colong=283
eponym=Hecataeus of Miletus

Hecataeus is a large lunar crater that lies near the eastern limb of the Moon. It is attached to the northern rim of the Humboldt walled plain. To the northeast is the smaller Gibbs crater. East of Hecataeus is a chain of tiny craterlets forming a line radial to Hunboldt crater. These are designated the "Catena Humboldt"; named after the walled plain.

This is a worn and eroded walled plain with wide inner walls. The northern part of Hecataeus overlays half of 'Hecataeus K', a fairly substantial crater. Along the southern rim, the outer of "ejecta" from Humboldt forms a rugged interior surface across the southern floor. Several small, bowl-shaped craters lay across the eastern rim and inner wall. The western rim is much less damaged by impacts, although it is still eroded. The northern part of the interior floor is relatively featureless.

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 Hecataeus crater.

References