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Firmicus (crater)

Coordinates: 7°18′N 63°24′E / 7.3°N 63.4°E / 7.3; 63.4
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Firmicus
The Firmicus crater as seen from the Apollo 17 CSM
Coordinates7°18′N 63°24′E / 7.3°N 63.4°E / 7.3; 63.4
Diameter56 km
Depth1.5 km
Colongitude297° at sunrise
EponymJulius Firmicus Maternus

Firmicus is a lunar impact crater that lies in the eastern part of the Moon's near side, so that from Earth it appears oval in shape due to foreshortening. It is, however, very nearly circular. The crater is located to the west of the Mare Undarum, and northeast of the similar-sized crater Apollonius. To the north of Firmicus are the craters van Albada and Auzout. Attached to its northwest rim is the Lacus Perseverantiae, a miniature lunar mare.

The crater is named after 4th century Roman astrologer Julius Firmicus Maternus.[1] The name was formally adopted by the IAU in 1935.

The most notable aspect of Firmicus is the dark, flat floor. It has a similar albedo to the surface of Mare Crisium to the north, making it stand out somewhat from its surroundings. The floor has suffered no significant impacts since it was created, although there are undoubtedly many minor impacts across its surface. The outer rim of Firmicus has undergone some erosion, particularly along the northern rim where it is overlain by a pair of small craterlets.

Satellite craters

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Firmicus crater and its satellite craters taken from Earth in 2012 at the University of Hertfordshire's Bayfordbury Observatory with the telescopes Meade LX200 14" and Lumenera Skynyx 2-1

By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Firmicus.

Oblique view from Apollo 10, with Firmicus in the background and Mare Undarum in the foreground
Oblique view of Firmicus facing south from Apollo 17
Firmicus Latitude Longitude Diameter
A 6.4° N 65.1° E 8 km
B 7.3° N 65.8° E 14 km
C 7.7° N 66.5° E 13 km
D 5.9° N 64.4° E 11 km
E 8.0° N 63.6° E 9 km
F 6.5° N 61.8° E 9 km
G 6.9° N 61.9° E 9 km
H 7.5° N 60.3° E 7 km
M 4.1° N 67.2° E 42 km

References

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  1. ^ "Firmicus (crater)". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology Research Program.
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