Lauritsen (crater)

lunar crater data
latitude=27.6
N_or_S=S
longitude=96.1
E_or_W=E
diameter=52 km
depth="Unknown"
colong=264
eponym=Charles C. Lauritsen

Lauritsen is a lunar crater that is located just behind the east-southeastern limb of the Moon. While it lies on the far side from the Earth, it is still possible to catch a glimse of this area under favorable conditions of libration and illumination. The crater is situated roughly equidistant from Titius crater further to the east and Donner crater to the southeast, so that the three form a triangle. To the northwest is the Curie walled plain.

This is an eroded crater with an eastern rim that is almost completely overlaid by smaller craters, including 'Lauritsen B' along the northeast. There is a break in the rim to the north and a pair of small craters lies across the northwest rim. Along the southwest side the rim is indented slightly, resulting in a nearly straight length. At the mid-point of the crater is 'Lauritsen Y', with a smaller crater to its south-southeast.

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 Lauritsen crater.

References