Lomonosov (lunar crater)

Lomonosov is a large lunar impact crater that lies on the far side of the Moon. It is located within the Mare Ingenii, a lunar mare situated in a depression of unknown origin. The crater is named after the Russian polymath Mikhail Lomonosov.

Location and Features:

Lomonosov's coordinates are approximately 9°36′S 98°36′E. It has a diameter of about 98 kilometers. The crater's most distinctive feature is the relatively dark, low-albedo material that covers a significant portion of its interior floor. This material is believed to be volcanic in origin, possibly representing basaltic lava flows that filled the crater floor after the initial impact event. The presence of volcanic material is a relatively rare occurrence in far side lunar craters, making Lomonosov of particular interest to lunar geologists.

The crater rim is moderately eroded, showing signs of impact degradation and subsequent slumping. Several smaller craters lie along the rim and within the interior. The ejecta blanket surrounding Lomonosov is not particularly prominent, likely due to the mare surface on which it landed.

Relationship to Mare Ingenii:

Lomonosov's position within Mare Ingenii is significant. Mare Ingenii itself is a relatively small, irregularly shaped mare, and its formation is not fully understood. The presence of Lomonosov, with its volcanic floor, contributes to the overall geological complexity of the region and provides evidence for past volcanic activity on the lunar far side. Studies of Lomonosov and Mare Ingenii help scientists understand the processes that shaped the lunar surface and the distribution of volcanic materials on the Moon.

Exploration and Study:

Lomonosov has been imaged and studied by various lunar missions, including the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). The LRO's high-resolution images have provided detailed information about the crater's morphology, the nature of the dark floor material, and the impact structures in the surrounding area. Further research is necessary to fully understand the age and composition of the volcanic deposits within Lomonosov and their relationship to the broader lunar volcanic history.