Rheita (crater)
Rheita is a prominent lunar impact crater located in the southeastern quadrant of the Moon. It lies to the southeast of the crater Fabricius and is adjacent to the Vallis Rheita, a long, wide valley that extends radially from the Mare Nectaris impact basin.
Description:
Rheita is a relatively old crater, having been formed during the Nectarian period. The crater rim is heavily eroded and irregular, with numerous smaller craters superimposed upon it. The inner walls are terraced, and the crater floor is relatively flat and marked by a central peak complex and several smaller craters.
The most distinctive feature associated with Rheita is the Vallis Rheita, a 445 km long and up to 29 km wide valley that stretches southeast from the crater. This valley is believed to have been formed by ejecta from the impact that created the Mare Nectaris basin, which grazed the surface and carved out the long, linear depression. The valley floor is furrowed and ridged, showing evidence of this complex formation process.
Characteristics:
- Diameter: Approximately 70 kilometers.
- Depth: Approximately 3.2 kilometers.
- Location: 43.3°S 51.8°E
- Eponym: Named after Antonius Maria Rheita (1604-1660), a Bohemian astronomer and optician.
Satellite Craters:
By convention, these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Rheita.
- Rheita A
- Rheita B
- Rheita C
- Rheita D
- Rheita E
- Rheita F
- Rheita G
- Rheita H
- Rheita J
- Rheita K
- Rheita L
- Rheita M
- Rheita N
- Rheita P
- Rheita R
- Rheita S
- Rheita T
- Rheita U
- Rheita V
- Rheita W
- Rheita X
- Rheita Y
- Rheita Z