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Dionysius (crater)

Coordinates: 2°48′N 17°18′E / 2.8°N 17.3°E / 2.8; 17.3
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Dionysius
Coordinates2°48′N 17°18′E / 2.8°N 17.3°E / 2.8; 17.3
Diameter18 km
Depth2.7 km
Colongitude343° at sunrise
EponymSt. Dionysius
The crater area in a Selenochromatic format Image (Si)
Oblique view from Apollo 15, showing the bright rays
Another view from Apollo 15
Detail of the interior from Lunar Orbiter 5

Dionysius is a lunar impact crater that lies on the western edge of the Mare Tranquillitatis. It was named after Dionysius the Areopagite.[1] To the southeast is the crater pair of Ritter and Sabine. Just to the northwest is the system of rilles designated Rimae Ritter. These clefts follow a generally northwest direction.

The rim of Dionysius is generally circular and shows little sign of wear. The crater possesses a small ray system with a radius of over 130 kilometers. The formation has a high albedo and appears bright when the Sun is nearly overhead during a full Moon. It is surrounded by a bright halo, with darker material farther out. Some darker deposits are in the form of relatively rare dark rays.

Satellite craters

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

Dionysius Latitude Longitude Diameter
A 1.7° N 17.6° E 3 km
B 3.0° N 15.8° E 4 km

References

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