Colombo Crater Parents 10 Satellites in Southeastern Lunar Near Side

Summary: Colombo Crater parents 10 satellites in the southeastern lunar near side, between southwestern Mare Fecunditatis and eastern Mare Nectaris.

Detail shows part of Colombo Crater system (center bottom) along southwestern Mare Fecunditatis; Colombo (45 degrees south, 14-16 degrees east), Colombo A (44 S, 14 E), Colombo E (42.5 S, 15.5 E), Colombo G (43 S, 14 E); Colombo H (43.5 S, 14.5 E), Colombo K (46.5 S, 16 E), Colombo M (48 S, 14.5 E), Colombo P (48 S, 15 E); D.P. Elston’s Geologic Map of the Colombo Quadrangle (1972): Dept. of Interior-US Geological Survey/NASA/USAF ACIC, via USGS Publications Warehouse

Colombo Crater parents 10 satellites in the southeastern lunar near side, with the system occupying the rough terrain between southwestern Mare Fecunditatis (Sea of Fecundity) and eastern Mare Nectaris (Sea of Nectar).

Occupancy of Colombo’s rim by two satellites disturbs the parent crater’s circularity. Tiny craterlets swarm across Colombo’s pockmarked floor.

Primary crater Colombo edges Mare Fecunditatis. The lunar impact crater is centered at minus 15.26 degrees south latitude, 46.02 degrees east longitude. The southern hemisphere crater registers northernmost and southernmost latitudes at minus 13.95 degrees south and minus 16.56 degrees south, respectively. Easternmost and westernmost longitudes extend to 47.37 degrees east and 44.67 degrees east, respectively. Colombo’s diameter spans 79.02 kilometers.

Satellite A indents its parent’s northwestern rim. A is centered at minus 14.18 degrees south latitude, 44.46 degrees east longitude. Its northernmost and southernmost latitudes reach minus 13.5 degrees south and minus 14.85 degrees south, respectively. A’s diameter measures 40.78 kilometers.

Satellite B perches along its parent’s south-southwestern rim. B is centered at minus 16.41 degrees south latitude, 45.16 degrees east longitude, respectively. It obtains northernmost and southernmost latitudes of minus 16.19 degrees south and minus 16.63 degrees south, respectively. B marks easternmost and westernmost longitudes at 45.4 degrees east and 44.93 degrees east, respectively. Its diameter measures 13.48 kilometers.

Satellite K gouges its parent’s southern wall. K is centered at minus 15.83 degrees east latitude, 46.44 degrees east longitude. It claims northernmost and southernmost latitudes of minus 15.75 degrees south and minus 15.91 degrees south, respectively. K registers easternmost and westernmost longitudes at 46.52 degrees east and 46.35 degrees east, respectively. Its diameter measures 5 kilometers.

Mare Fecunditatis claims two additional satellites. M and P lie to their parent’s east.

M is centered at minus 14.64 degrees south latitude, 47.8 degrees east longitude. M marks northernmost and southernmost latitudes at minus 14.38 degrees south and minus 14.89 degrees south, respectively. Easternmost and westernmost longitudes extend to 48.06 degrees east and 47.53 degrees east, respectively. K has a diameter of 15.65 kilometers.

P, M’s smaller, southern neighbor, is centered at minus 15.11 degrees south latitude, 47.9 degrees east longitude. M trims its northernmost and southernmost latitudes to minus 15.02 degrees south and minus 15.21 degrees south, respectively. Easternmost and westernmost longitudes narrow to 48 degrees east and 47.8 degrees east, respectively. M’s diameter measures 5.9 kilometers.

Montes Pyrenaeus (Pyrenees Mountains) hugs the eastern arc of circular Mare Nectaris. Five Colombo satellites (E, G, H, J, T) shelter to the east of the lunar mountain range.

Satellites G and J neighbor west of Colombo A. Larger G lies north-northwest of J.

G is centered at minus 14.01 degrees south latitude, 43.44 degrees east longitude. Northernmost and southernmost latitudes occur at minus 13.87 degrees south and minus 14.16 degrees south, respectively. Easternmost and westernmost longitudes thin to 43.6 degrees east and 43.29 degrees east, respectively. Its diameter measures 8.95 kilometers.

J is centered at minus 14.3 degrees south latitude, 43.62 degrees east longitude. Northernmost and southernmost latitudes narrow to minus 14.2 degrees south and minus 14.4 degrees south, respectively. Easternmost and westernmost longitudes thin to 43.72 degrees east and 43.52 degrees east, respectively. J’s diameter measures 5.96 kilometers.

Colombo E lies to its parent’s west. The satellite is centered at minus 15.82 degrees south latitude, 42.38 degrees east longitude. E obtains northernmost and southernmost latitudes of minus 15.57 degrees south and minus 16.06 degrees south, respectively. Easternmost and westernmost longitudes narrow to 42.62 degrees east and 42.15 degrees east, respectively. E has a diameter of 14.93 kilometers.

Lying to the southeast, satellite H is centered at minus 17.45 degrees south latitude, 44.13 degrees east longitude. H trims northernmost and southernmost latitudes to minus 17.21 degrees south and minus 17.68 degrees south, respectively. Easternmost and westernmost longitudes slim to 44.37 degrees east and 43.88 degrees east, respectively. H’s diameter measures 14.14 kilometers.

Outlier Colombo T is sited to the south-southeast of its parent. T is centered at minus 18.97 degrees south latitude, 45.46 degrees east longitude. T obtains northernmost and southernmost latitudes of minus 18.85 degrees south and minus 19.08 degrees south, respectively. The satellite registers easternmost and westernmost longitudes at 45.63 degrees east and 45.29 degrees east, respectively. T’s diameter measures 9.96 kilometers.

The Colombo Crater system honors Spanish explorer Cristóbal Colón (Christopher Columbus; ca. Aug. 26/Oct. 31, 1451-May 20, 1506). The IAU approved the parent crater’s name in 1935. The 10 Colombo satellite designations received approval in 2006.

The takeaways for Colombo Crater’s parentage of 10 satellites in the southeastern lunar near side are that the system occupies the rough strip between Mare Fecunditatis (Sea of Fecundity) and Mare Nectaris (Sea of Nectar), that smallest satellite K’s diameter measures only 5 kilometers and that, at 40.78 kilometers, largest satellite A’s diameter halves its parent’s diameter of 79.02 kilometers.

Detail shows part of Colombo Crater system (top center) along eastern Mare Nectaris; Colombo (45-47 S, 16 E), Colombo B (45 S, 16 E), Colombo E (42-43 degrees S, 16 degrees E), Colombo H (44 S, 17 E), Colombo T (45 S, 19 E); D.E. Stuart-Alexander and R.W. Tabor’s Geologic Map of the Fracastorius Quadrangle (1972): Dept. of Interior-US Geological Survey/NASA/USAF ACIC, via USGS Publications Warehouse

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Detail shows part of Colombo Crater system (center bottom) along southwestern Mare Fecunditatis; Colombo (45 degrees south, 14-16 degrees east), Colombo A (44 S, 14 E), Colombo E (42.5 S, 15.5 E), Colombo G (43 S, 14 E); Colombo H (43.5 S, 14.5 E), Colombo K (46.5 S, 16 E), Colombo M (48 S, 14.5 E), Colombo P (48 S, 15 E); D.P. Elston’s Geologic Map of the Colombo Quadrangle (1972): Dept. of Interior-US Geological Survey/NASA/USAF ACIC, via USGS Publications Warehouse @ https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/i714

Detail shows part of Colombo Crater system (top center) along eastern Mare Nectaris; Colombo (45-47 S, 16 E), Colombo B (45 S, 16 E), Colombo E (42-43 degrees S, 16 degrees E), Colombo H (44 S, 17 E), Colombo T (45 S, 19 E); D.E. Stuart-Alexander and R.W. Tabor’s Geologic Map of the Fracastorius Quadrangle (1972): Dept. of Interior-US Geological Survey/NASA/USAF ACIC, via USGS Publications Warehouse @ https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/i720

For further information:

Consolmagno, Guy; and Dan M. Davis. Turn Left at Orion. Fourth edition. Cambridge UK; New York NY: Cambridge University Press, 2011.

Elger, Thomas Gwyn. “Colombo.” The Moon, A Full Description and Map of Its Principal Physical Features: 130. London UK: George Philip & Son, 1895.
Available via Internet Archive @ https://archive.org/details/moonfulldescript00elgeuoft/page/130/mode/1up

Elston, Donald P. “Geologic Map of the Colombo Quadrangle of the Moon.” Geologic Atlas of the Moon. IMAP-714 (LAC-79). Prepared in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the USAF Aeronautical Chart and Information Center. Department of the Interior United States Geological Survey, 1972.
Available via USGS Publications Warehouse @ https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/i714

International Astronomical Union. “Colombo.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/1273

International Astronomical Union. “Colombo A.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/8365

International Astronomical Union. “Colombo B.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/8366

International Astronomical Union. “Colombo E.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/8367

International Astronomical Union. “Colombo G.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/8368

International Astronomical Union. “Colombo H.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/8369

International Astronomical Union. “Colombo J.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/8370

International Astronomical Union. “Colombo K.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/8371

International Astronomical Union. “Colombo M.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/8372

International Astronomical Union. “Colombo P.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/8373

International Astronomical Union. “Colombo T.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/8374

International Astronomical Union. “Mare Fecunditatis.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/3673

International Astronomical Union. “Mare Nectaris.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/3683

International Astronomical Union. “Montes Pyrenaeus.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/4012

Levy, David H. Skywatching. Revised and updated. San Francisco CA: Fog City Press, 1994.

Marriner, Derdriu. “Goclenius Crater Parents Two Satellites in Southwest Mare Fecunditatis.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2013.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2014/12/goclenius-crater-parents-two-satellites.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “Taruntius Crater Parents 15 Satellites on Northwest Mare Fecunditatis.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, May 4, 2011.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2011/05/taruntius-crater-parents-15-satellites.html

Moore, Patrick, Sir. Philip’s Atlas of the Universe. Revised edition. London UK: Philip’s, 2005.

Stuart-Alexander, Desiree E.; and Rowland W. Tabor. “Geologic Map of the Fracastorius Quadrangle of the Moon.” Geologic Atlas of the Moon. IMAP-720 (LAC-97). Prepared in cooperation with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the USAF Aeronautical Chart and Information Center. Department of the Interior United States Geological Survey, 1972.
Available via USGS Publications Warehouse @ https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/i720

U.S. Geological Survey. Color-Coded Topography and Shaded Relief Map of the Lunar Near Side and Far Side Hemispheres. U.S. Geological Survey Geologic Investigations Series I-2769. Page last modified Nov. 30, 2016. Flagstaff AZ: U.S. Geological Survey Astrogeology Science Center, 2003.
Available via USGS Publications Warehouse @ https://pubs.usgs.gov/imap/i2769/