Geological Chronicle
Positioned along the Moon's southwestern limb, Catalán spans a diameter of 26.77 kilometers. Because of its position west of Baade and south-southeast of Graff, Earth-based observers view the formation almost from the side, where libration determines whether it can be glimpsed clearly. The surrounding terrain belongs to the southeastern ejecta skirt of the Mare Orientale impact basin, creating a rugged and streaky regional surface.
The crater maintains a generally circular outline with a sharp, well-defined rim that shows little appearance of erosion. Sections of the inner wall appear to have slumped along the north and southeast, leaving distinct notches in the rim crest. Within the crater, the floor is rough and irregular, lacking any notable central peak.
Immediate neighbors include a connected pair of satellite craters, Catalán A and the smaller Catalán B, positioned due west with sharp rims and bowl-shaped floors. The International Astronomical Union officially adopted the designation in 1970 in honor of Spanish spectroscopist Miguel Antonio Catalán Sañudo.