Hippocrates (lunar crater)

Hippocrates is a prominent lunar impact crater located in the northeastern part of the Moon's near side. It's situated in the rugged highlands, southwest of the larger crater Archimedes and northeast of the prominent crater Autolycus. Its relatively large size and distinct features make it a readily identifiable landmark for lunar observers.

Coordinates: Approximately 29°N, 4°E

Diameter: Approximately 77 km

Notable Features:

• Walls: Hippocrates possesses relatively high and well-defined walls, showing evidence of terraced structures indicating multiple impact events or subsequent collapses. These walls are generally not heavily worn down by subsequent impacts.
• Floor: The crater floor is relatively flat and is notable for its dark basaltic plains, indicative of lava flows that have filled much of the crater's interior over time.
• Central Peak: A low, relatively insignificant central peak or a complex of small hills is present within the floor.
• Surrounding Terrain: The surrounding area is characterized by a variety of smaller craters and ridges, representative of the heavily impacted lunar highlands.

Naming:

The crater is named after Hippocrates of Kos (c. 460 – c. 370 BC), a prominent Greek physician considered one of the most important figures in the history of medicine. Its naming, along with many other lunar craters, follows a convention of associating lunar surface features with notable figures from science, literature, and history.

Exploration:

While there have been no dedicated missions specifically targeted at Hippocrates, the crater has been extensively imaged and studied by various lunar orbiting spacecraft, providing valuable data for understanding the Moon's geological history. The observations have contributed to our understanding of impact cratering processes, lava flows, and the composition of the lunar surface.