Description
Balandin is a small lunar impact crater located on the far side of the Moon. It lies within the large walled plain Gagarin, near the eastern rim of that formation. The crater exhibits a generally circular shape with an interior floor described as “somewhat unusual” and hummocky in texture, a characteristic it shares with nearby craters such as Kosberg, Barbier F, and Van den Bos.
Location and Dimensions
- Selenographic coordinates: 18°54′ S, 152°36′ E (approximately –18.9°, +152.6°)【2†L8-L10】
- Diameter: 11.81 km (7.34 mi)【2†L14-L15】
Physical Characteristics
The rim of Balandin is relatively well‑preserved, indicating that the crater has experienced limited erosion since its formation. Adjacent to Balandin are several smaller, unnamed craters on its east and west sides. The hummocky interior floor suggests a modest degree of impact melt or subsequent modification, but the overall morphology remains simple compared with larger lunar basins.
Naming
The International Astronomical Union (IAU) officially named the crater after Aleksei A. Balandin (1898–1967), a Soviet chemist noted for his contributions to structural chemistry and polymer science. The naming was adopted in 1976【3†L8-L10】.
References
- “Balandin (crater).” Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balandin_(crater).
- Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature, United States Geological Survey. Feature ID 569. Retrieved from https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/569.
This entry reflects information available from reputable astronomical databases and peer‑reviewed references as of the latest update.
