Leibnitz (crater)

lunar crater data
latitude=38.3
N_or_S=S
longitude=179.2
E_or_W=E
diameter=245 km
depth="Unknown"
colong=186
eponym=Gottfried Leibniz

Leibnitz is a huge lunar crater that is located in the southern hemisphere on the far side of the Moon, as seen from the Earth. In dimension this formation is the same size as the Clavius crater on the near side. It is located to the east-southeast of Mare Ingenii, and is joined to the northeast rim of Von Kármán crater. Attached to the eastern rim of Leibnitz is Davisson crater, and intruding into the southeast rim is Finsen crater. Further to the west is the large Oppenheimer walled plain.

The outer rim of Leibnitz is roughly circular, with a prominent outward bulge along the southern face. It has received some impact erosion and wear, with several tiny craters lying along the edge and the inner wall. The rim to the east and southeast has been somewhat modified by the Davisson and Finsen craters.

Much of the interior floor of this walled plain has been resurfaced by lava, leaving a level, nearly featureless surface with the same low albedo as the dark lunar mare to the northwest. However the southeastern part of the floor is more irregular, and the albedo matches the surrounding terrain. The dark floor is covered in places by streaks of ray material, and several tiny craterlets. The small crater 'Leibnitz X' near the northwest inner wall has been flooded by lava, leaving only a roughly circular rim projecting above the surface.

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 Leibnitz crater.

References