Gibbs (crater)

lunar crater data


caption=Gibbs (top center) from Apollo 15. Note the multiple crater chains and the high albedo patch. "NASA photo".
latitude=18.4
N_or_S=S
longitude=84.3
E_or_W=E
diameter=76 km
depth="Unknown"
colong=277
eponym=Josiah W. Gibbs

Gibbs is a lunar impact crater that lies near the eastern limb of the Moon. It is situated less than a crater diameter to the northeast of the larger Hecataeus crater. The crater chain "Catena Humboldt" passes to the south of Gibbs, following a line to the northeast. Due to its proximity to the limb, this crater appears foreshortened when viewed from the Earth, and visibility is subject to libration.

The outer rim of Gibbs crater is not quite circular, and an outward bulge to the north gives it an onion-like profile. The southeastern wall is slightly straightened and there is a low break in the rim at the southern and northern ends. In other respects, however, the rim is only slightly eroded. The interior floor is nearly level in the southwestern half, with irregular ridges to the northeast. There is a small craterlet to the northwest of the mid-point.

A recent small impact along the northeastern rim has produced a small ray system that forms a skirt of higher albedo material across this part of the rim. Faint traces from these rays cover the interior floor of Gibbs crater.

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 Gibbs crater.

References