Moretus (crater)

Moretus is a prominent lunar impact crater located near the south pole of the Moon. It lies in the heavily cratered highland region, on the near side.

Location and Features: Moretus is situated to the southeast of the large crater Clavius and is attached to the southwest rim of Short crater. It is characterized by a large, complex central peak that rises to a height of about 2.1 kilometers above the crater floor. The crater rim is heavily terraced and shows evidence of significant impact erosion over billions of years. The inner walls display distinct slump features.

Size and Dimensions: Moretus has a diameter of approximately 114 kilometers and a depth of roughly 2.8 kilometers.

Age: The crater is believed to be of Nectarian age, meaning it formed during the period from 3.92 to 3.85 billion years ago.

Name: The crater is named after the Flemish mathematician and printer Theodorus Moretus (1602-1667), a member of the Moretus family that owned the Plantin-Moretus printing works in Antwerp.

Observation: Moretus is readily visible through telescopes of moderate aperture, particularly during periods of low sun angle near the lunar terminator. The striking central peak and terraced walls make it a popular target for lunar observers.