Coordinates | 40°24′N 23°06′W / 40.4°N 23.1°W |
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Diameter | 25 km |
Depth | 0.5 km |
Colongitude | 23° at sunrise |
Eponym | Helicon of Cyzicus |
Helicon is a small lunar impact crater that is located on the north part of the Mare Imbrium. The crater was named after 4th century BC Greek astronomer Helicon of Cyzicus,[1] a friend and disciple of Plato.[2] To the northwest is the prominent Sinus Iridum, a mountain-ringed bay on the mare. Just to the east is the slightly smaller crater Le Verrier.
Helicon is a nearly circular formation with inner walls that curve down to a relatively flat floor. There is a tiny craterlet located at the midpoint of the interior, and a small craterlet along the southwestern rim.