The Best-Known Crater Chain on the Moon

Feature Profile & Selenographic Data

Feature type

catena

Coordinates

16.59° S · 16.70° E

Diameter

209.97 km

IAU approval

1976/01/01 00:00:00

LAC quadrangle

LAC-96 · Rupes Altai

Geological Chronicle

Catena Abulfeda is a chain of craters on the Moon running from the southern rim of Abulfeda crater to the north rim of Almanon, then continuing across Rupes Altai. Spanning a length of 210 kilometers, it is the best-known feature of its type on the Moon.

The feature consists of a linear string of 20 impact craters ranging in size from 1 to 3 kilometers in diameter. The largest of these craters, Almanon C, is positioned near the middle of the chain.

Scientific Sources & References

• IAU Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature — Official name, feature type, coordinates, dimensions, approval and name origin.
• Wikipedia — English Wikipedia article on Catena Abulfeda (revision 1366688785)

Name Origin

Named from nearby crater.