Reiner (crater)
Encyclopedia
Reiner is a lunar
impact crater
on the Oceanus Procellarum
, in the western part of the Moon
. It has a nearly circular rim, but appears oval in shape due to foreshortening. The rim edge is well-defined and has not been eroded by impacts. In the mid-point of the irregular crater floor is a central peak. Outside the rim is a hummocky rampart that extends out across the mare for about half a crater diameter.
To the west-northwest of the crater on the Oceanus Procellarum is the unusual feature Reiner Gamma
, a fish-shaped surface marking of ray-like
material with a high albedo
.
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...
on the Oceanus Procellarum
Oceanus Procellarum
Oceanus Procellarum is a vast lunar mare on the western edge of the near side of the Earth's Moon. Its name derives from the old superstition that its appearance during the second quarter heralded bad weather...
, in the western 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...
. It has a nearly circular rim, but appears oval in shape due to foreshortening. The rim edge is well-defined and has not been eroded by impacts. In the mid-point of the irregular crater floor is a central peak. Outside the rim is a hummocky rampart that extends out across the mare for about half a crater diameter.
To the west-northwest of the crater on the Oceanus Procellarum is the unusual feature Reiner Gamma
Reiner Gamma
Reiner Gamma is an albedo feature that is located on the Oceanus Procellarum, to the west of the crater Reiner on the Moon. The center of the formation is located at selenographic coordinates . It has an overall dimension of about 70 kilometres...
, a fish-shaped surface marking of ray-like
Ray system
A ray system comprises radial streaks of fine ejecta thrown out during the formation of an impact crater, looking a bit like many thin spokes coming from the hub of a wheel. The rays can extend for lengths up to several times the diameter of their originating crater, and are often accompanied by...
material with a high 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...
.
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 Reiner.| Reiner | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 5.2° N | 51.4° W | 10 km |
| C | 3.5° N | 51.5° W | 7 km |
| E | 1.9° N | 49.6° W | 4 km |
| G | 3.3° N | 54.3° W | 3 km |
| H | 9.1° N | 54.7° W | 8 km |
| K | 8.1° N | 53.9° W | 3 km |
| L | 8.0° N | 54.6° W | 6 km |
| M | 8.6° N | 56.1° W | 3 km |
| N | 5.4° N | 57.5° W | 4 km |
| Q | 1.4° N | 50.9° W | 3 km |
| R | 3.7° N | 55.5° W | 45 km |
| S | 2.2° N | 50.7° W | 4 km |
| T | 3.7° N | 52.2° W | 2 km |
| U | 4.1° N | 52.5° W | 3 km |