Auzout is a lunar impact crater located near the southeastern limb of the Moon, making it subject to libration and sometimes difficult to observe clearly from Earth. It lies to the northwest of the larger crater Petavius and northeast of the Mare Fecunditatis.
Nomenclature The crater is named after Adrien Auzout (1622–1691), a French astronomer who was a prominent figure in the early Royal Academy of Sciences and known for his work on the micrometer and the use of telescopes for precise measurements. The name was officially adopted by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) in 1935.
Characteristics Auzout is a relatively young crater, approximately 33 kilometers in diameter. Its rim is sharp and well-defined, showing little sign of significant erosion from subsequent impacts. The inner walls are terraced, a common feature in craters of this size, and slump material has accumulated at the base. The crater floor is irregular and features a prominent central peak, which is a characteristic of many impact craters formed by the rebound of the lunar crust after the initial impact. The floor's texture is uneven, particularly around the central peak system. There are no notable satellite craters directly associated with Auzout.
Location and Nearby Features Auzout is situated at approximately 10.2° S latitude and 64.7° E longitude. Due to its position near the lunar limb, its appearance can vary significantly with libration, sometimes foreshortening its shape when viewed from Earth. To its northwest lies the much larger and more ancient crater Petavius, known for its extensive system of rilles (Rimae Petavius) and complex central peak structure. To the north-northeast is the somewhat eroded crater Palitzsch, and to the east is the large, degraded basin of Snellius. To the south, beyond a rugged expanse, lies the crater Stevinus.