Earth and Space News: Einstein Crater central satellite Einstein A

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Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Einstein A Crater Lies as Young Crater in the Center of Einstein Crater

Summary: Einstein A Crater lies as young crater in the center of Einstein Crater, a primary crater parenting three satellites on the lunar far side.

Image shows satellite Einstein A as a mid-interior floor occupant of its parent, Einstein Crater: courtesy NASA / Goddard, via NASA

Einstein A Crater lies as a young crater in the center of Einstein Crater, an impact-battered lunar impact crater credited with three satellites on the lunar far side.

Satellite Einstein A is situated in the center of its parent’s interior floor. Anglo-Australian astronomer David A. Allen described Einstein A in the 1966-1967 issue of the Journal of the British Astronomical Association. He noted its position as a “. . . prominent central crater . . .” and described the primary crater’s interior satellite as a “. . . magnificent object . . .” (page 252).

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) profiled Einstein A and Einstein Crater for the space agency’s online mission pages on the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO). An image feature, “Einstein and Einstein A: A Study in Crater Morphology,” posted May 14, 2010, considered the satellite and its primary crater as revelatory of “. . . the relative age and shape of an impact crater.”

NASA described Einstein as “. . . a fairly large crater that spans 198 km across.” Age cannot be determined, however, from “. . . size alone . . .”

Einstein A’s placement “. . . squarely in the middle of the floor of Einstein” indicates the satellite’s youthfulness. Also, the “. . . frequency and distribution of impact craters overprinted on its rim and floor” inform a crater’s relative age. The smaller number of impacts sustained by younger craters allows for their retention of their “original morphology.”

A comparison of the structures of Einstein A and Einstein Crater reveals Einstein A as “. . . a relatively young crater as compared to Einstein . . .” Smaller impacts over time have yielded a “somewhat degraded” reshaping of Einstein Crater’s original structure. Retention of its original structure attests to Einstein A’s relative youth with respect to its parent. Einstein A presents a raised rim and also exhibits an ejecta blanket.

David Allen’s paper in the 1966-1967 issue of the Journal of the British Astronomical Association credited English amateur astronomer Sir Patrick Moore (March 4, 1923-Dec. 9, 2012) with the first sighting of Einstein Crater and central, interior satellite Einstein A. Sir Patrick first saw Einstein and Einstein A via a 3-inch (7.5-centimeter) refractor in 1939.

The International Astronomical Union (IAU) adopted Einstein as the primary crater’s official name in 1964. Approval was granted during the organization’s XIIth (12th) General Assembly, held in Hamburg, Germany, from Tuesday, Aug. 25, to Thursday, Sept. 3. The crater is named after German American physicist Albert Einstein (March 14, 1879-April 18, 1955). The designations of Einstein A, Einstein R and Einsten S for the Einstein Crater system’s three satellites were approved in 2006.

Prior to its official naming, the crater system was known as Caramuel. In a paper published in the 1964-1965 issue of the Journal of the British Astronomical Association, Sir Patrick noted confusing misnomers involving Einstein Crater. He attributed the name of Caramuel to Welsh-born astronomer and engineer Hugh Percy Wilkins (Dec. 4, 1896-Jan. 23, 1960). Wilkins, however, intended the name for “. . . a different formation” (page 142). Wilkins’ Caramuel actually has turned out to reference satellite Simpelius D, according to David Allen’s 1966-1967 paper (page 255).

Allen noted the paucity of “professional photographs” of Einstein Crater and Einstein A. He indicated, however, that Soviet lunar probe Zond 3 obtained photographs of the area. The large convex mound that hosts Einstein A stands out as “. . . one of the brightest spots in the region” (page 252).

Launched July 18, 1965, from southern Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome, Zond 3 made a lunar flyby on July 20. For 68 minutes, the spacecraft took 25 “very good quality” photographs of the lunar far side from distances of 11,570 to 9,960 kilometers, according to David R. Williams’ profile of Zond 3 on NASA’s National Space Science Data Center (NSSDC) website.

The takeaways for Einstein A Crater as a young crater in the center of Einstein A are that the Einstein Crater system’s interior satellite reveals its youthfulness through retention of its original structure and its location in the middle of its parent’s interior floor; that English amateur astronomer Sir Patrick Moore is credited with Einstein Crater’s first sighting, which took place in 1939; and that photographs obtained July 1965 by Soviet lunar probe Zond 3 reveal the mound on which satellite Einstein A resides as one of the region’s brightest places.

“First Detailed View of Orientale Basin” shows Einstein Crater with interior satellite Einstein A as bullseye crater west of Oceanus Procellarum; photo obtained May 25, 1967, at 05:33:34 Greenwich Mean Time, by NASA-Boeing Lunar Orbiter IV, from altitude of 2,721 kilometers; The Boeing Company, Lunar Orbiter IV Photographic Mission Summary (1968), frontispiece: Public Domain, via NASA NTRS (NASA Technical Reports Server)

Acknowledgment

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

Image credits:

Image shows satellite Einstein A as a mid-interior floor occupant of its parent, Einstein Crater: courtesy NASA / Goddard, via NASA @ https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LRO/multimedia/lroimages/lola-20100514-einstein.html

Allen, D. (David) A. “The Lunar Crater Caramuel.” Journal of the British Astronomical Association, vol. 76, no. 4 (Session 1966-67): 248-255.
Available via Harvard ADSABS @ http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/full/seri/JBAA./0076//0000248.000.html

Allen, D. (David) A.; and C.J. Andrews. “The Last Word on Einstein (Caramuel).” Journal of the British Astronomical Association, vol. 79, no. 4 (Session 1968-1969): 288-290.
Available via Harvard ADSABS @ http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1969JBAA...79..288A
Available via Harvard ADSABS @ http://adsabs.harvard.edu/pdf/1969JBAA...79..288A

The Boeing Company. Lunar Orbiter IV: Photographic Mission Summary. Prepared by The Boeing Company, Seattle, Wash., for Langley Research Center. NASA Contractor Report NASA CR-1054.Washington DC: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, June 1968.
Available via NASA NTRS (NASA Technical Reports Server) @ https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19680017342.pdf

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

Grego, Peter. The Moon and How to Observe It. Astronomers’ Observing Guides. London UK: Springer-Verlag, 2005.

Jenner, Lynn, page ed. “Einstein and Einstein A: A Study in Crater Morphology.” NASA > Missions > Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) > Multimedia. May 14, 2010.
Available @ https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/LRO/multimedia/lroimages/lola-20100514-einstein.html

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

Malin, David. “Obituary: David Allen (1946-1994).” The Observatory, vol. 114, no. 1122 (October 1994): 250-252.
Available via Harvard ADSABS @ http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1994Obs...114..250M
Available via Harvard ADSABS @ http://adsabs.harvard.edu/pdf/1994Obs...114..250M

Marriner, Derdriu. “Einstein Crater Honors German American Physicist Albert Einstein.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, March 6, 2013.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2013/03/einstein-crater-honors-german-american.html

Marriner, Derdriu. “Einstein Crater Parents Three Satellites On Near Side’s Western Limb.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, March 13, 2013.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2013/03/einstein-crater-parents-three.html

Moore, Patrick. “The Lunar Crater Caramuel.” Journal of the British Astronomical Association, vol. 75, no. 3 (Session 1964-65): 140-144.
Available via Harvard ADSABS @ http://articles.adsabs.harvard.edu/full/seri/JBAA./0075//0000142.000.html

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

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Einstein Crater Parents Three Satellites On Near Side’s Western Limb

Summary: Einstein Crater parents three satellites on the near side’s western limb as a northwest quadrant occupant lying west of western Oceanus Procellarum.

Detail of Lunar Astronautical Charts (LAC) 37 shows Einstein Crater with interior satellite, Einstein A (lower left corner); courtesy NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) / GSFC (Goddard Space Flight Center) / ASU (Arizona State University): U.S. Geological Survey, Public Domain, via USGS Astrogeology Science Center / Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

Einstein Crater parents three satellites on the near side’s western limb, in the northwestern quadrant terrain lying west of western Oceanus Procellarum (Ocean of Storms).

The north equatorial latitude crater is centered at 16.6 degrees north latitude, minus 88.65 degrees west longitude, according to the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. The crater’s northernmost and southernmost latitudes extend to 19.6 degrees north and 13.61 degrees north, respectively. Its easternmost and westernmost longitudes reach minus 85.54 west and minus 91.77 degrees west, respectively. Einstein Crater’s diameter measures 181.47 kilometers.

Einstein Crater parents three satellites in its location between the lunar near side’s sprawling Oceanus Procellarum and its western limb. The Einstein Crater system comprises one interior satellite and two western satellites.

Einstein A occupies the center of its parent’s interior floor. The young satellite displays a central peak and terraced walls.

Einstein A is centered at 16.69 degrees north latitude, minus 88.25 degrees west longitude. The Einstein Crater system’s central satellite records northernmost and southernmost latitudes of 17.52 degrees north and 15.86 degrees north, respectively. It registers easternmost and westernmost longitudes of minus 87.38 degrees west and minus 89.12 degrees west, respectively. Einstein A’s diameter measures 50.48 kilometers.

Einstein A’s diameter qualifies it as the largest of the Einstein Crater system’s three satellites. A’s diameter of 50.48 kilometers approximates 28 percent of its parent’s 181.47-kilometer diameter.

Einstein R and Einstein S occur as the Einstein Crater system’s two western satellites. They lie to the southwest of Einstein A.

Einstein R resides to the south-southwest of Einstein S. Einstein R’s placement qualifies it as the most southerly and most westerly of the Einstein Crater system’s three satellites.

Einstein R is centered at 13.83 degrees north latitude, minus 91.88 degrees west longitude. Its northernmost and southernmost latitudes occur at 14.15 degrees north and 13.5 degrees north, respectively. It obtains easternmost and westernmost longitudes at minus 91.54 degrees west and minus 92.21 degrees west, respectively. Einstein R has a diameter of 19.84 kilometers.

Einstein S is centered at 15.1 degrees north latitude, minus 91.67 degrees west longitude. It finds northernmost and southernmost latitudes at 15.42 degrees north and 14.78 degrees north, respectively. It marks easternmost and westernmost longitudes at minus 91.33 degrees west and minus 92 degrees west, respectively. Einstein S has a diameter of 19.63 kilometers.

Einstein S’s diameter measures 0.21 kilometers less than Einstein R’s 19.84-kilometer diameter. Einstein S qualifies as the smallest of the Einstein Crater system’s three satellites and, indeed, as the Einstein Crater system’s smallest participant.

The diameters of Einstein R and of Einstein S approximate 39.3 percent and 39 percent, respectively, of Einstein A’s diameter of 50.48 kilometers. Einstein R’s and Einstein S’s diameters approximate 10.93 percent and 10.82 percent, respectively, of their parent crater’s 181.47-kilometer diameter.

As western limb occupants, the Einstein Crater system depends upon favorable libration for visibility, albeit rather undetailed, by Earth-based observers. Libration references the changing amount of surface visibility for Earth-based observers. Libration expands surface visibility to about 59 percent for Earth-based observers.

Latitudinal libration, longitudinal libration and diurnal libration comprise the three mechanisms occasioning changes in perspective for Earth-based observers. The changes in perspective allow for visibility of a small portion of the lunar far side.

The lunar axis of rotation tilts about 6.5 degrees with respect to an imaginary line that is perpendicular to the plane of the lunar orbit around Earth. This slight inclination affects latitudinal libration.

The moon traces an elliptical path in its orbit around Earth. The eccentricity, or deviation from a perfect circle, of the lunar orbit around Earth occasions longitudinal libration.

Small daily oscillations due to Earth’s rotation account for diurnal libration. These daily variations influence the viewpoint of Earth-based moon watchers.

The takeaways for Einstein Crater’s parentage of three satellites on the near side’s western limb are that the Einstein Crater system comprises one central satellite, Einstein A, which occupies the center of its parent’s interior floor, and two western satellites, Einstein R and Einstein S; that the Einstein Crater system’s largest and smallest satellites are Einstein A and Einstein S, respectively; and that the Einstein Crater system’s location along the near side’s western limb links the system’s visibility to Earth-based observers to libration.

Detail of Lunar Astronautical Charts (LAC) 72 shows Einstein Crater with two western satellites, Einstein R and Einstein S; courtesy NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) / GSFC (Goddard Space Flight Center) / ASU (Arizona State University): U.S. Geological Survey, Public Domain, via USGS Astrogeology Science Center / Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

Acknowledgment

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

Image credits:

Andersson, Leif E.; and Ewen A. Whitaker. NASA Catalogue of Lunar Nomenclature. NASA Reference Publication 1097. Washington DC: NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration Scientific and Technical Information Branch, October 1982.
Available via NASA NTRS (NASA Technical Reports Server) @ https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19830003761.pdf

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

Dunbar, Brian, page ed. “Moon.” Internet Archive Wayback Machine > World Book at NASA.
Available @ https://web.archive.org/web/20130703162844/http://www.nasa.gov/worldbook/moon_worldbook.html

Grego, Peter. The Moon and How to Observe It. Astronomers’ Observing Guides. London UK: Springer-Verlag, 2005.

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “Einstein.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “Einstein A.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/8907

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “Einstein R.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/8908

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “Einstein S.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/8909

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “Target: The Moon.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Page/MOON/target

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

The Moon Wiki. “Einstein.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > E Nomenclature.
Available @ https://the-moon.us/wiki/Einstein

The Moon Wiki. “IAU Directions.” The Moon.
Available @ https://the-moon.us/wiki/IAU_directions

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

National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and Department of Defense Aeronautical Chart and Information Center. Lunar Farside Chart LFC-1. Second edition. October 1967.
Available @ https://www.lpi.usra.edu/resources/mapcatalog/LunarFarsideCharts/LFC-1%201stEd/LFC-1%202ndEd/LFC-1A/

Wilhelms, Don E.; John F. McCauley; and Newell J. Trask. The Geologic History of the Moon. U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1348. Washington DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1987.
Available via USGS Publications Warehouse @ https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/pp1348