Bjerknes (lunar crater)

Bjerknes
LRO WAC image
Coordinates38°24′S 113°00′E / 38.4°S 113.0°E / -38.4; 113.0
Diameter48 km
DepthUnknown
Colongitude247° at sunrise
EponymVilhelm F. K. Bjerknes
Oblique view from Lunar Orbiter 3, facing south
Oblique view from Apollo 17, facing east

Bjerknes is a lunar impact crater that is located in the southern hemisphere on the rugged far side of the Moon. The crater lies behind the southeastern limb, and beyond the region that is sometimes brought into sight through libration. Thus this crater can not be viewed from Earth, and has only been seen from orbit. Nearby named craters are Clark to the east, and Pogson to the south-southwest.

The crater rim is generally circular, but with some slight irregularities along the northeastern quadrant. The rim is relatively sharp-edged, and displays little appearance of wear. The interior floor is rough and irregular, beginning with the slumped material at the base of the inner walls.

The crater is named in honor of Vilhelm Bjerknes, a pioneer in the field of weather forecasting.