Definition
Briggs (crater) is a lunar impact crater located on the far side of the Moon.
Overview
Briggs crater lies in the southern hemisphere of the Moon's far side, situated within a region marked by numerous impact structures and rugged terrain. As with many craters on the lunar far side, Briggs is not visible from Earth and has been studied primarily through orbital imaging missions, such as those conducted by NASA and other space agencies.
Etymology/Origin
The crater is named after Henry Briggs (1561–1630), an English mathematician best known for his development of common logarithms (base 10), which greatly advanced computational mathematics in the 17th century. The name "Briggs" was officially assigned by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), which maintains the planetary nomenclature system.
Characteristics
Briggs crater is moderately eroded, exhibiting features typical of ancient impact craters, including a worn rim and a relatively flat floor likely filled with impact melt or regolith over time. It is adjacent to larger and more prominent craters such as Lemaître to the north and Zwicky to the southeast. Specific dimensions—such as diameter, depth, and age—are recorded in lunar databases maintained by the IAU and the USGS. However, detailed geological analysis of this particular crater remains limited due to its location on the far side, which presents challenges for direct observation and surface exploration.
Related Topics
- Lunar geology
- Far side of the Moon
- Impact craters
- International Astronomical Union (IAU) planetary nomenclature
- Henry Briggs (mathematician)