Bridgman’s partly worn wall retains traces of terraces

Feature Profile & Selenographic Data

Feature type

crater

Coordinates

43.3859°N, 136.9796°E

Diameter

81.89 km

IAU approval

1970/01/01 00:00:00

LAC quadrangle

LAC-31 · Campbell

Geological Period

Imbrian

Geological Chronicle

At 81.89 kilometers across, Bridgman is a lunar impact crater on the Moon’s far side, in the northern hemisphere. It lies northwest of Kurchatov; Becquerel is to its west-southwest, while Pawsey and Wiener lie eastward.

The formation is dated to the Imbrian period of the lunar geologic timescale. Its outer wall is somewhat worn but retains traces of terrace structures and slumping. The rim is not quite circular, with a slight polygonal appearance and rounded corners, and the wall has a notable inward bulge at the south end. The floor is generally level, with a central peak at its midpoint.

An infrared spectrum of pure crystalline plagioclase has been identified on the crater center and north wall. The crater is named for American physicist Percy W. Bridgman (1882 to 1961). Before the IAU formally named it in 1970, it was called Crater 52.

Chronology & Exploration

1. Imbrian period Imbrian dating

   The crater is dated to the Imbrian period of the lunar geologic timescale.

2. Before 1970 Called Crater 52

   Before formal naming by the IAU, Bridgman was called Crater 52.

3. 1970 IAU naming

   The IAU formally named the crater for American physicist Percy W. Bridgman.

Scientific Sources & References

• International Astronomical Union — Bridgman — Registry entry for the crater’s identity, coordinates, diameter and namesake.
• Wikipedia — Bridgman (crater) — The text describes Bridgman as a lunar impact crater.

Name Origin

Percy Williams; American physicist; Nobel laureate (1882-1961).