Ramsden (crater)

Coordinates: 32°54′S 31°48′W / 32.9°S 31.8°W / -32.9; -31.8
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Ramsden
Coordinates32°54′S 31°48′W / 32.9°S 31.8°W / -32.9; -31.8
Diameter25 km
Depth2.0 km
Colongitude31° at sunrise
EponymJesse Ramsden

Ramsden is a lunar impact crater located on the western stretch of the Palus Epidemiarum. It was named after British instrument maker Jesse Ramsden.[1] To the east-southeast is the crater Capuanus, and to the north lies Dunthorne.

The floor of the crater has been flooded with lava, and contains several small impact craters. The rim is somewhat oval and irregular in outline, with depressions at the north and south walls. It has a slight rampart, but lacks terraces, a central peak, or a ray system.

The crater lies directly across a rille system named the Rimae Ramsden. These span an area 130 kilometers across, sprawling over the western Palus Epidemiarum. A branch reaches northwest to the Mare Nubium, passing between the craters Campanus and Mercator.

Satellite craters[edit]

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

Ramsden Latitude Longitude Diameter
A 33.4° S 31.3° W 5 km
G 35.3° S 31.6° W 11 km
H 35.7° S 32.4° W 11 km

References[edit]

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