Hercules (crater)
Encyclopedia
Hercules is a prominent crater
located in the northwest part of the Moon
, to the east of the crater Atlas
. It lies along the east edge of a southward extension in the Mare Frigoris
. To the west across the mare
is Bürg
. To the south is the ruined crater Williams
.
The interior walls of Hercules have multiple terraces, and there is a small outer rampart. The crater floor has been flooded by lava
in the past, and contains several areas of low albedo
. The central peak has been buried, leaving only a low hill near the mid-point. The satellite crater Hercules G is located prominently just to the south of the center. The small crater Hercules E lies along the southern rim of Hercules.
In the past this crater has been reported as the site of some transient lunar phenomenon
.
The following craters have been renamed by the IAU
.
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...
located in the northwest part of the Moon
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...
, to the east of the crater Atlas
Atlas (crater)
Atlas is a prominent lunar impact crater that is located in the northeast part of the Moon, to the southeast of Mare Frigoris. Just to the west is the slightly smaller but still prominent crater Hercules. Northeast of Atlas is the large Endymion....
. It lies along the east edge of a southward extension in the Mare Frigoris
Mare Frigoris
Mare Frigoris is a lunar mare located just north of Mare Imbrium, and stretches east to north of Mare Serenitatis. The mare is in the outer rings of the Procellarum basin...
. To the west across 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...
is Bürg
Bürg (crater)
Bürg is a prominent lunar impact crater in the northeast part of the Moon. It lies within the lava-flooded, ruined crater formation designated Lacus Mortis. To the south and southeast is the crater pair Plana and Mason. To the west, beyond the rim of Lacus Mortis, is the prominent crater...
. To the south is the ruined crater Williams
Williams (lunar crater)
Williams is the remnant of a lunar crater that lies to the south of the prominent crater Hercules, in the northeastern part of the Moon. The southern rim borders the Lacus Somniorum, a small lunar mare that extends to the south and west. To the southwest is the sharp-rimmed crater Grove.Little...
.
The interior walls of Hercules have multiple terraces, and there is a small outer rampart. The crater floor has been flooded by lava
Lava
Lava refers both to molten rock expelled by a volcano during an eruption and the resulting rock after solidification and cooling. This molten rock is formed in the interior of some planets, including Earth, and some of their satellites. When first erupted from a volcanic vent, lava is a liquid at...
in the past, and contains several areas of low albedo
Albedo
Albedo , or reflection coefficient, is the diffuse reflectivity or reflecting power of a surface. It is defined as the ratio of reflected radiation from the surface to incident radiation upon it...
. The central peak has been buried, leaving only a low hill near the mid-point. The satellite crater Hercules G is located prominently just to the south of the center. The small crater Hercules E lies along the southern rim of Hercules.
In the past this crater has been reported as the site of some transient lunar phenomenon
Transient lunar phenomenon
A transient lunar phenomenon , or lunar transient phenomenon , is a short-lived light, color, or change in appearance on the lunar surface....
.
Satellite 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 Hercules.| Hercules | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| B | 47.8° N | 36.6° E | 9 km |
| C | 42.7° N | 35.3° E | 9 km |
| D | 44.8° N | 39.7° E | 8 km |
| E | 45.7° N | 38.5° E | 9 km |
| F | 50.3° N | 41.7° E | 14 km |
| G | 46.4° N | 39.2° E | 14 km |
| H | 51.2° N | 40.9° E | 7 km |
| J | 44.1° N | 36.4° E | 8 km |
| K | 44.2° N | 36.9° E | 7 km |
The following craters have been renamed by the IAU
International Astronomical Union
The International Astronomical Union IAU is a collection of professional astronomers, at the Ph.D. level and beyond, active in professional research and education in astronomy...
.
- Hercules A — See KeldyshKeldysh (crater)Keldysh is a lunar impact crater that is located in the northeastern part of the Moon, at the eastern rim of the Mare Frigoris. It lies due north of the prominent crater Atlas, and to the northeast of the notable Hercules....
.