Helicon (crater)
Encyclopedia
Helicon is a small lunar
impact crater
that is located on the north part of the Mare Imbrium
. To the northwest is the prominent Sinus Iridum
, a mountain-ringed bay on the mare
. Just to the east is the slightly smaller crater Le Verrier
. Helicon is a nearly circular formation with inner walls that curve down to a relatively flat floor. There is a tiny craterlet located at the mid-point of the interior, and a small craterlet along the southwestern rim.
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
impact crater
Impact crater
In the broadest sense, the term impact crater can be applied to any depression, natural or manmade, resulting from the high velocity impact of a projectile with a larger body...
that is located on the north part of the Mare Imbrium
Mare Imbrium
Mare Imbrium, Latin for "Sea of Showers" or "Sea of Rains", is a vast lunar mare filling a basin on Earth's Moon and one of the larger craters in the Solar System. Mare Imbrium was created when lava flooded the giant crater formed when a very large object hit the Moon long ago...
. To the northwest is the prominent Sinus Iridum
Sinus Iridum
Sinus Iridum is a plain of basaltic lava that forms a northwestern extension to the Mare Imbrium. It is surrounded from the northeast to the southwest by the Montes Jura range. The protruding part of the range at the southwest end is named Promontorium Heraclides, while that at the northeast end...
, a mountain-ringed bay on the mare
Lunar mare
The lunar maria are large, dark, basaltic plains on Earth's Moon, formed by ancient volcanic eruptions. They were dubbed maria, Latin for "seas", by early astronomers who mistook them for actual seas. They are less reflective than the "highlands" as a result of their iron-rich compositions, and...
. Just to the east is the slightly smaller crater Le Verrier
Le Verrier (lunar crater)
Le Verrier is a small lunar impact crater located in the northern part of the Mare Imbrium. To the west is the slightly larger crater Helicon, and farther to the west-northwest lies the mountain-ringed bay Sinus Iridum....
. Helicon is a nearly circular formation with inner walls that curve down to a relatively flat floor. There is a tiny craterlet located at the mid-point of the interior, and a small craterlet along the southwestern rim.
Satellite craters
According to convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater mid-point that is closest to Helicon.| Helicon | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | 38.0° N | 21.3° W | 6 km |
| C | 40.1° N | 26.2° W | 1 km |
| E | 40.5° N | 24.1° W | 3 km |
| G | 41.7° N | 24.9° W | 2 km |