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Wichmann (crater)

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Crater on the Moon Feature on the moon
Wichmann
Lunar Orbiter 4 image
Coordinates7°30′S 38°06′W / 7.5°S 38.1°W / -7.5; -38.1
Diameter10 km
Colongitude38° at sunrise
EponymMoritz L. G. Wichmann

Wichmann is a bowl-shaped lunar impact crater. It was named after German astronomer Moritz L. G. Wichmann. It is located in the southern half of Oceanus Procellarum on a low plateau formed from a wrinkle ridge, Dorsa Ewing.

There is a small mountain chain to the north that curves away to the west that is designated Wichmann R; this is most likely the rim of a worn crater that was buried by the lava flow forming the mare. Additional low mountains lie to the south of the plateau on which Wichmann is situated.

Satellite craters

By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Wichmann.

Wichmann Latitude Longitude Diameter
A 7.4° S 36.9° W 4 km
B 7.1° S 39.1° W 4 km
C 4.7° S 37.4° W 3 km
D 5.4° S 36.0° W 3 km
R 6.6° S 39.0° W 62 km
Satellite craters of Wichmann

Gallery

  • Apollo 16 image Apollo 16 image
  • Oblique view of Wichmann R, facing southwest. Wichmann itself is just out of the view to the left. From Lunar Orbiter 3. Oblique view of Wichmann R, facing southwest. Wichmann itself is just out of the view to the left. From Lunar Orbiter 3.
  • Similar view from Apollo 16 Similar view from Apollo 16

References

  1. "Wichmann (crater)". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology Research Program.
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