Capella (crater)

For other uses, see Capella.
Capella
Apollo 16 image
Coordinates7°36′S 34°54′E / 7.6°S 34.9°E / -7.6; 34.9
Diameter49 km
Depth3,5 km
Colongitude325° at sunrise
EponymMartianus Capella
Selenochromatic Image (Si) of the crater area
Oblique view facing west of Capella (below center) and Isidorus (above center). The large crater on the horizon is Theophilus. This shot was taken from the Apollo 11 Lunar Module Eagle.

Capella is a lunar impact crater 49 km (30 mi) in diameter that lies to the north of the Mare Nectaris, in a rugged region with many small impact craters. It was named after Roman astronomer Martianus Capella.[1] It intrudes slightly into the eastern rim of the crater Isidorus, a feature only slightly smaller in diameter.

The wall of Capella is low but relatively thick and irregular, with a large promontory intruding on the south-eastern side. The crater is crossed by a deep rift, the Vallis Capella, which passes directly through Capella from the north rim through the southeast side of the wall, and extends out both sides for a combined distance of 110 kilometers. This feature was formed by a chain of craters. In the middle of the crater is a wide, round peak with a craterlet at the top. The western side of the crater is dotted with impact debris, forming clusters of small hills.

  1. ^ "Capella (crater)". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology Research Program.