Keldysh (crater)

Keldysh is a complex impact crater located on the far side of the Moon. It is situated to the southwest of the larger crater Van Gent, and northeast of the Mare Ingenii.

Description:

Keldysh is a heavily eroded and degraded crater. Its rim is worn and irregular, with several smaller craters lying along its edge and within its interior. The interior floor is relatively flat and featureless, possibly due to lava flooding or ejecta deposition from nearby impacts. There is a cluster of small central peaks, indicating a complex crater formation process.

Characteristics:

• Location: Lunar far side
• Coordinates: 45.7° S, 152.3° E
• Diameter: Approximately 33 kilometers (21 miles)

Origin and Significance:

Keldysh was formed by an asteroid or comet impact early in the Moon's history. Its eroded condition reflects the long period of bombardment the lunar surface has endured. Its proximity to Mare Ingenii suggests a possible relationship between the cratering event and the mare's formation.

Naming:

The crater is named after Mstislav Vsevolodovich Keldysh (1911–1978), a Soviet mathematician and engineer, prominent in the Soviet space program. Keldysh made significant contributions to the fields of applied mathematics and aerodynamics.