Pitatus (crater)

Pitatus is a lunar impact crater located on the southwestern edge of Mare Nubium. It is named after the Italian astronomer Giovan Battista Pitati. The crater is heavily eroded and displays the effects of significant impact events and lava flooding.

The crater rim is low and heavily worn, breached by lava flows from Mare Nubium in the north and northeast. This gives the crater a partially submerged appearance. The interior floor is relatively flat, having been resurfaced by basaltic lava. A prominent feature within the crater is the central peak, designated Pitatus Alpha (α). This peak is relatively low, reaching a height of approximately 1 kilometer above the crater floor.

Several smaller craterlets can be found scattered across the floor of Pitatus, further contributing to its irregular appearance. Notable among these is the small crater Pitatus S, located near the southern inner wall.

Pitatus is easily visible through binoculars or a small telescope, particularly when the Moon is near the terminator, casting long shadows that accentuate the crater's features. Its proximity to Mare Nubium and its distinctive breached rim make it a readily identifiable feature on the lunar surface.