Arago (lunar crater)

Arago
Coordinates 6°12′N 21°24′E / 6.2°N 21.4°E / 6.2; 21.4Coordinates: 6°12′N 21°24′E / 6.2°N 21.4°E / 6.2; 21.4
Diameter 26 km
Depth 1.8 km
Colongitude 358° at sunrise
Eponym François Arago
Oblique view from Apollo 10. Most of lunar dome Arago Alpha is visible along top edge of photo, right of center.
Oblique view from Apollo 15

Arago is a lunar impact crater located in the western part of the Mare Tranquillitatis which is named after François Arago.[1] Nearly 45 km southwest lies the crater Manners, and beyond are Dionysius and the Ritter–Sabine crater pair. To the southeast is the large Lamont formation that has been submerged by the mare.

Its diameter is 26 km long and is 1,800 meters deep. The area is about 500 km² and the perimeter is over 75 km.

From that location the Earth would appear in the lunar sky at over 6 degrees from the top and it is seen more than 21 degrees towards the west, sometimes due to librations, it appears about 7 degrees in different directions.

The rim of Arago has a bulge in the western wall. There is a central ridge that runs towards the northern wall. The surface of the mare nearby is marked by wrinkle ridges, most notably to the east and southeast. To the north is a large lunar dome designated Arago Alpha (α). A similar-sized lunar dome is located an equal distance to the west, designated Arago Beta (β).

Satellite craters

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

Arago[1] Coordinates Diameter, km
B 3°26′N 20°49′E / 3.43°N 20.82°E / 3.43; 20.82 (Arago B) 6,9
C 3°53′N 21°29′E / 3.89°N 21.48°E / 3.89; 21.48 (Arago C) 3,0
D 6°55′N 22°23′E / 6.91°N 22.39°E / 6.91; 22.39 (Arago D) 4,0
E 8°31′N 22°43′E / 8.51°N 22.71°E / 8.51; 22.71 (Arago E) 6,3

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 "Arago (lunar crater)". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology Research Program.

References

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