Avogadro, its rim worn by impacts

Feature Profile & Selenographic Data

Feature type

crater

Coordinates

63.21° N · 165.36° E

Diameter

129.84 km

IAU approval

1970/01/01 00:00:00

LAC quadrangle

LAC-18 · D'Alembert

Geological Period

Pre-Nectarian

Geological Chronicle

Avogadro lies in the Moon’s northern hemisphere on the far side. Its formation is dated to the Pre-Nectarian period. The rim has been heavily worn and eroded by subsequent impacts, leaving little more than a rounded edge around the crater depression.

The interior is subdued too: the floor is covered by smaller craters of many sizes. Many of these smaller craters have also been eroded, leaving little more than faint traces on the surface.

Other named craters mark the surrounding terrain: Tikhov nearly touches Avogadro’s southeast rim, Oberth lies west, and Schjellerup northwest; Yamamoto is to the south-southwest, with the large walled plain D'Alembert farther south. The crater honors Italian scientist Amedeo Avogadro (1776–1856), and the International Astronomical Union formally adopted the designation in 1970.

Chronology & Exploration

1. Pre-Nectarian Crater formation

   Avogadro’s formation is dated to the Pre-Nectarian period on the lunar geologic timescale.

2. After formation Subsequent impacts

   Subsequent impacts heavily wear and erode the rim, now little more than a rounded edge; the crater floor, too, is heavily worn.

3. 1970 Name formally adopted

   The International Astronomical Union formally adopts the crater’s designation, honoring Amedeo Avogadro.

Scientific Sources & References

• International Astronomical Union — Avogadro — Registry authority for the crater’s identity, coordinates, diameter and name origin.
• Wikipedia — Avogadro (crater) — Localized source text for the crater’s setting, morphology, naming and adoption date.

Name Origin

Amedeo (Conte Di Quarengna); Italian physicist (1776-1856).