Geological Chronicle
Hess is a degraded impact crater in the southern hemisphere on the far side of the Moon. Dating to the Pre-Nectarian period on the lunar geologic timescale, its rim has been worn down by subsequent impacts into a low, eroded outer wall.
Its flat interior was resurfaced by lava flows and remains free of significant impacts. This floor displays a slightly darker albedo than the surrounding terrain.
To the west lies the large walled plain Poincaré, with Hess positioned along the eastern edge of Poincaré's deeply eroded outer rim. The crater Boyle is nearly attached to the northeastern rim, while Abbe lies to the south and the satellite crater Hess Z is partly overlaid by the northern rim.