Theophilus (crater)

Theophilus
Oblique view facing south from Apollo 16
Coordinates11°24′S 26°24′E / 11.4°S 26.4°E / -11.4; 26.4
Diameter100 km
Depth3.2 km
Colongitude333° at sunrise
EponymTheophilus I of Alexandria
Location of Theophilus
Oblique view of Theophilus from Apollo 16 as the lunar module Orion approached its landing point about 450 km to the west
Oblique view of Theophilus from Lunar Orbiter 3
Oblique view of the central part of Theophilus from Apollo 16 Panoramic Camera

Theophilus is a prominent lunar impact crater that lies between Sinus Asperitatis in the north and Mare Nectaris to the southeast. It partially intrudes into the comparably sized crater Cyrillus to the southwest. To the east is the smaller crater Mädler and further to the south-southeast is Beaumont.[1] It was named after the 4th-century Coptic Pope Theophilus I of Alexandria.[2]

Theophilus, Cyrillus and Catharina form a prominent group of large craters visible on the terminator 5 days after the new moon.

  1. ^ "Moon - Theophilus crater region". astrosurf.com. Retrieved October 16, 2007.
  2. ^ Autostar Suite Astronomer Edition. CD-ROM. Meade, April 2006.