Diophantus (crater)

Diophantus
Apollo 15 image
Coordinates27°36′N 34°18′W / 27.6°N 34.3°W / 27.6; -34.3
Diameter19 km
Depth3.0 km
Colongitude34° at sunrise
EponymDiophantus
Diophantus area (top right) in selenochromatic format holding some normal (yellow)/pyroclastic(red) selenochromatic landmarks
Oblique view of Diophantus from Apollo 17, at low sun angle, with the smaller Diophantus C at left.
High-resolution view of dark streaks in the wall of Diophantus, showing downslope movement of buried subsurface deposits.
The craters Delisle (above) and Diophantus (below) from Apollo 15. Mons Delisle is to the left of Delisle, and Rima Diophantus lies between Delisle and Diophantus. Note also bright rays extending from the tiny crater Samir.

Diophantus is a lunar impact crater that lies in the southwestern part of the Mare Imbrium. It was named after ancient Greek mathematician Diophantus.[1] It forms a pair with the larger crater Delisle to the north. Diophantus has a wide inner wall and a low central rise. To the north of Diophantus is the sinuous rille designated Rima Diophantus, named after the crater. Diophantus C lies near the exterior of the southwest wall.

Diophantus is a crater of Eratosthenian age.[2]

  1. ^ "Diophantus (crater)". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology Research Program.
  2. ^ The geologic history of the Moon. USGS Professional Paper 1348. By Don E. Wilhelms, John F. McCauley, and Newell J. Trask. U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington: 1987. Table 12.2.