Definition
Fedorov is a small impact crater on the Moon, located in the western part of Mare Imbrium. It is officially recognized by the International Astronomical Union (IAU) and is named after the Russian rocket scientist Aleksandr Petrovich Fedorov.
Overview
- Coordinates: 28° 14′ N, 37° 03′ W (28.23° N, –37.05°)
- Diameter: 7 km
- Depth: Unknown
- Colongitude: 37° (at sunrise)
- Eponym: Aleksandr Petrovich Fedorov
The crater lies east‑northeast of the larger crater Diophantus and southeast of Delisle. Approximately 20 km to the south‑southeast is the slightly larger crater Artsimovich.
Etymology / Origin
The name “Fedorov” honors Aleksandr Petrovich Fedorov (1919–2008), a noted Soviet‑Russian rocket engineer and scientist who contributed to the development of early Soviet launch vehicles. The IAU adopted the name in accordance with its practice of naming lunar craters after deceased scientists and engineers who have made significant contributions to their fields.
Characteristics
- Shape: The crater is slightly elongated and exhibits an irregular outline.
- Ridge: A prominent ridge runs along the northern side of the crater. This ridge is roughly comparable in size to the crater’s base and rises about 0.8 km above the surrounding mare surface, giving the feature an unusual topographic profile.
- Surroundings: Fedorov is situated within the basaltic plain of Mare Imbrium, which is characterized by relatively smooth, dark volcanic material. The surrounding terrain is generally flat, making the crater and its northern ridge stand out prominently in lunar observations.
Related Topics
- Mare Imbrium (the lunar mare that hosts the crater)
- Diophantus (crater) – neighboring crater to the west‑southwest
- Delisle (crater) – neighboring crater to the northwest
- Artsimovich (crater) – larger crater to the south‑southeast
- Lunar impact craters and their classification
- International Astronomical Union (IAU) lunar nomenclature conventions
- Aleksandr Petrovich Fedorov – biographical information on the eponymous scientist