Sharp (crater)

This article is about the lunar feature. For the Martian feature informally known as Mount Sharp, see Aeolis Mons.
Not to be confused with Sharp-Apollo (crater).
Sharp
LRO image
Coordinates45°42′N 40°12′W / 45.7°N 40.2°W / 45.7; -40.2
Diameter40 km
Depth3.2 km
Colongitude40° at sunrise
EponymAbraham Sharp
Sharp area (top) in selenochromatic format holding some normal (yellow)/pyroclastic(red) selenochromatic landmarks
Lunar Orbiter 4 image

Sharp is a lunar impact crater located to the west of the Sinus Iridum bay of the Mare Imbrium, beyond the Montes Jura range. To the southwest is the crater Mairan. Because of its location and foreshortening, Sharp appears elliptical from the earth.

Sharp is surrounded by a rugged region of mountains and rises. Ridges are joined to the north and south ends of the rim. The crater has a low central peak at the midpoint of the floor. Between Sharp and Sharp A is an unnamed sinuous rille. The more distant Rima Sharp is located on the Mare Frigoris to the northwest.

Sharp is a crater of Upper (Late) Imbrian age.[1]

  1. ^ 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 11.2.