Rays from Byrgius A cross Byrgius

Feature Profile & Selenographic Data

Feature type

crater

Coordinates

24.73° S · 65.38° W

Diameter

84.46 km

IAU approval

1935/01/01 00:00:00

LAC quadrangle

LAC-92 · Byrgius

Geological Chronicle

Byrgius is a lunar impact crater in the Moon's western part, near the limb. Foreshortening makes it appear strongly oval. It lies northwest of Vieta; nearly ruined Lamarck lies northwest of Byrgius.

Its low rim is worn and eroded. Byrgius A overlies the eastern rim, and Byrgius D lies across the northwest. The floor is relatively flat and undistinguished by significant craters.

Byrgius A has its own ray system, which crosses Byrgius and extends for more than 300 kilometres. The fresh crater is estimated to be around 48 million years old.

Byrgius is named after Swiss horologist Jost Burgi. Giovanni Ricciolli introduced the name into lunar nomenclature in 1651, and the International Astronomical Union formally adopted the designation that year.

Chronology & Exploration

1. around 48 million years ago Estimated age of Byrgius A

   The source estimates that this fresh crater is around 48 million years old.

2. 1651 Name introduced

   Giovanni Ricciolli introduced Byrgius into lunar nomenclature.

3. 1651 Designation adopted

   The International Astronomical Union formally adopted the designation.

Scientific Sources & References

• International Astronomical Union Gazetteer — Registry record for Byrgius and its 84.46 km diameter.
• Wikipedia: Byrgius (crater) — Localized source extract for the crater's morphology, rays, age estimate and naming history.

Name Origin

Burgi, Joost; Swiss horologist (1552-1632).