 Lunar Orbiter 4 image | |
| Coordinates | 48°42′N 34°18′W / 48.7°N 34.3°W / 48.7; -34.3 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 37.59 km (23.36 mi)[1] |
| Depth | 3.1 km (1.9 mi) |
| Colongitude | 34° at sunrise |
| Formation | Late Imbrian[2] |
| Eponym | Francesco Bianchini |
Bianchini is a lunar impact crater that lies along the northern Jura Mountains that ring the Sinus Iridum,[3] in the northwestern part of the near side of the Moon. The impact of this crater near the edge of the Jura Mountains deposited some material into the Sinus Iridum floor.[4]
On the lunar geologic timescale, Bianchini dates to the Upper (Late) Imbrian age.[2] The rim of this crater is not significantly worn, although there is a small crater along the inner side of the eastern rim. Within the inner wall is a somewhat irregular floor and a small cluster of ridges at the midpoint. Portions of the inner wall have slumped toward the floor along the northern edges.[5][6]: 11
This crater was named after Italian astronomer Francesco Bianchini (1662-1729).[1] The name was incorporated into lunar nomenclature by the Italian astronomer Giovanni Riccioli in 1651 as 'Bianchinus'.[7] Its modern designation was formally adopted by the International Astronomical Union in 1935.[1]
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 Bianchini.
| Bianchini[6]: 293 | Latitude | Longitude | Diameter |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | 47.6° N | 35.8° W | 7 km |
| G | 46.7° N | 32.7° W | 4 km |
| H | 48.0° N | 32.7° W | 7 km |
| M | 48.4° N | 30.6° W | 4 km |
| N | 48.5° N | 31.0° W | 5 km |
| W | 48.5° N | 33.7° W | 9 km |
References
- "Bianchini". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology Research Program.
- Wilhelms, Don E.; McCauley, John F.; Trask, Newell J. (1987). The geologic history of the Moon. USGS Professional Paper 1348. Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office. doi:10.3133/pp1348. Table 11.2.
- Grego, Peter (2005). The Moon and How to Observe It. Astronomers' Observing Guides Series. London: Springer-Verlag. p. 161. ISBN 1-85233-748-6.
- Wood, Chuck (August 20, 2006). "Out the Porthole". Lunar Photo of the Day. Archived from the original on 2019-01-07. Retrieved 2016-09-18.
- Moore, Patrick (2001). On the Moon. Sterling Publishing Co. p. 183. ISBN 978-0-304-35469-6.
- Bussey, B.; Spudis, P. (2004). The Clementine Atlas of the Moon. New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-81528-4.
- Whitaker, Ewen A. (1999). Mapping and Naming the Moon. Cambridge University Press. p. 211. ISBN 978-0-521-62248-6.
Sources
- Price, Fred W. (1988). The Moon Observer's Handbook. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-33500-3.
- Rükl, Antonín (1990). Atlas of the Moon. Kalmbach Books. ISBN 978-0-913135-17-4.
- Wlasuk, Peter T. (2000). Observing the Moon. Springer. ISBN 978-1-85233-193-1.