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Dreyer (crater)

Coordinates: 10°00′N 96°54′E / 10.0°N 96.9°E / 10.0; 96.9
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Dreyer
Lunar Orbiter 4 image of the crater, on top right is Dreyer C, on the bottom right are Dreyer K and J and on top left is Dreyer W
Coordinates10°00′N 96°54′E / 10.0°N 96.9°E / 10.0; 96.9
Diameter61 km
Colongitude264° at sunrise
EponymJohn L. E. Dreyer

Dreyer is the remnant of a lunar impact crater on the far side of the Moon. It is located along the eastern edge of the Mare Marginis, about midway between the craters Ginzel to the north and Erro to the south-southeast. It was named after Danish-Irish astronomer John L. E. Dreyer.[1]

Oblique Apollo 14 Hasselblad camera image
Dreyer and Ginzel and several of their satellite craters. From center, Ginzel is at approximately 12:00, and Dreyer is at approximately 8:00. The small crater at 9:00 is Dreyer W. Dreyer C is just east of Dreyer, and Dreyer K and J are to the south and southeast of Dreyer.

The rim of this crater is heavily worn, with multiple impacts overlaying the edge and a small gap at the south end. The satellite crater Dreyer C lies across the northeastern rim, while Dreyer K intrudes into the southeastern side. The interior floor is relatively level and featureless, with a few tiny craterlets marking the surface. There is a low central ridge at the midpoint.

Satellite craters

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

Dreyer Latitude Longitude Diameter
C 11.2° N 98.2° E 37 km
D 10.8° N 99.8° E 27 km
J 8.8° N 98.2° E 29 km
K 9.0° N 97.4° E 23 km
R 8.5° N 94.0° E 18 km
W 11.8° N 95.7° E 30 km

References

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  1. ^ "Dreyer (crater)". Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. USGS Astrogeology Research Program.
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  • Wood, Chuck (June 17, 2009). "Beyond the Cat's Smile". Lunar Photo of the Day. - showing the crater with the name not being mentioned but with a question mark