Volkov (crater)

Volkov
Apollo 17 image
Coordinates13°37′S 131°40′E / 13.62°S 131.67°E / -13.62; 131.67
Diameter40.84 km (25.38 mi)
Depth2 km (1.2 mi)[1]
Colongitude229° at sunrise
EponymVladislav N. Volkov

Volkov is a lunar impact crater on the Moon's far side. It is located to the north of the prominent crater Tsiolkovskiy, and east-southeast of Dobrovol'skiy. Overlying the southeastern rim of Volkov is the satellite crater Volkov J, and the two have merged to form a figure-8 shape. The crater Lander is attached to the southwest rim of Volkov J, making this a triple-crater formation.

The outer rim of Volkov is moderately eroded, with a small crater across the northeast rim and a gap in the southeast where it joins Volkov J. The inner walls are relatively featureless, with a few tiny craterlets marking the surface. The interior floor of the crater is lumpy, with low hills and a few tiny craterlets.

It is named after Russian–Soviet cosmonaut Vladislav Volkov, who died in Soyuz 11 mission on 30 June 1971 during the vehicle's return to the Earth. The name was approved by the IAU in 1973.[2]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference LTO84D4 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Volkov, Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature, International Astronomical Union (IAU) Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature (WGPSN).