Copernicus Crater, the Moon
Copernicus crater (9.62°N, 339.92°E), which is easily seen with a moderately powerful backyard telescope, is one of the best-known craters on the Moon. Despite its age (around 860 million years), it is well preserved with over 4,000 meters of relief from floor to rim, and the tallest of its central peaks rises approximately 1300 meters above the crater floor. This image, centered on the central peaks, was captured just after dawn (86° incidence angle) as the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter slewed west to a 67°angle.
Shown here is the full view of the crater, but this hides the fabulous spatial resolution of the data. Thus two higher-resolution views are shown at the bottom. These cover the boxed areas in the full scene. At left we see part of the impact melt sheet on the floor. At right is a segment of the central peak complex. Note all of the large boulders that have settled in a depression between two topographic highs.
Copernicus Crater, the Moon
Copernicus crater (9.62°N, 339.92°E), which is easily seen with a moderately powerful backyard telescope, is one of the best-known craters on the Moon. Despite its age (around 860 million years), it is well preserved with over 4,000 meters of relief from floor to rim, and the tallest of its central peaks rises approximately 1300 meters above the crater floor. This image, centered on the central peaks, was captured just after dawn (86° incidence angle) as the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter slewed west to a 67°angle.
Shown here is the full view of the crater, but this hides the fabulous spatial resolution of the data. Thus two higher-resolution views are shown at the bottom. These cover the boxed areas in the full scene. At left we see part of the impact melt sheet on the floor. At right is a segment of the central peak complex. Note all of the large boulders that have settled in a depression between two topographic highs.