Sundman (crater)


Sundman is a lunar impact crater that lies just past the western limb of the Moon. Although it lies on the far side from the Earth, this part of the surface is brought into view during periods of favorable libration and illumination. Sundman lies to the southwest of the walled plain Einstein, and to the west of the Vallis Bohr cleft. It was named after Finnish mathematician and astronomer Karl F. Sundman.

Description

This crater lies in the midst of the skirt of ejecta that surrounds the Mare Orientale impact basin. Both the crater and its surroundings have been modified by this enormous amount of material, and the surface displays an uneven pattern that is generally radial to the basin, which is located to the north. The crater forms a shallow depression in the surface, with small craters along the southeastern and southwestern rim.

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 Sundman.
FeatureLatitudeLongitudeDiameterRef
Sundman J8.9° N90.2° W10.34 km
Sundman V11.9° N93.5° W17.93 km

LADEE impact

The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer mission ended with a planned lunar impact on April 18, 2014. Later, the exact impact location was found to be near the eastern rim of Sundman V crater.

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