Lunar Chawla Crater Honors Columbia Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla

Summary: Lunar Chawla Crater honors Space Shuttle Columbia Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla, who perished with his six colleagues on the spaceplane in 2003.

On Friday, Jan. 17, 2003, during her second spaceflight, Kalpana Chawla, mission specialist 2 of Space Shuttle Columbia's 28th mission, STS-107 (Thursday, Jan. 16, to Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003), is stationed on the shuttle orbiter's flight deck; NASA ID S107E05001: Not subject to copyright, via NASA Image and Video Library

The lunar southern hemisphere's far side Chawla Crater honors Space Shuttle Columbia Mission Specialist 2 Kalpana Chawla (March 17, 1962-Feb. 1, 2003), who perished during her second spaceflight, along with her six colleagues, as the shuttle orbiter re-entered Earth's atmosphere Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003.

Apollo Crater accommodates within its southeastern interior seven craters named for the 58th mission's seven astronauts. Also known as Apollo Basin, the considerable impact crater represents a basin-within-a-basin with its residence in the immense South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin. Apollo Crater lies in the SPA Basin's northeastern quadrant, according to Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center's mineralogy and petrology specialist, Canadian-American geologist Donald Allen Morrison (July 19, 1936-Jan. 16, 2021), and then Lunar and Planetary Institute postdoctoral researcher, American physicist and planetary geologist D. Benjamin J. Bussey, in their paper, "The Apollo and Korolev basins and the stratigraphy of the lunar crust," presented at the 28th Lunar and Planetary Sciences Conference (LPSC 1997), held in Houston, Texas, March 17-21, 1997.

Apollo Crater is centered at minus 35.69 degrees south latitude, minus 151.48 degrees west longitude, according to the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Its northernmost and southernmost latitudes touch minus 28.12 degrees south and minus 44.19 degrees south, respectively. The worn geologic structure's easternmost and westernmost longitudes span minus 140.58 degrees west to minus 162.07 degrees west, respectively. Apollo Crater's diameter spans 524.23 kilometers.

Chawla Crater is centered at minus 42.48 degrees south latitude, minus 147.49 degrees west longitude. It distinguishes its northernmost and southernmost latitudes at minus 42.24 degrees south and minus 42.71 degrees south, respectively. It officializes its easternmost and westernmost longitudes at minus 147.17 degrees west and minus 147.80 degrees west, respectively.

Chawla Crater has a diameter of 14.25 kilometers. Its littleness qualifies Chawla Crater as the smallest of the lunar far side's Columbia Craters.

Chawla Crater is positioned almost midway between D. Brown and L. Clark craters. Chawla Crater neighbors to the south of D. Brown Crater and to the north of L. Clark Crater. L. Clark Crater's location qualifies as the southernmost among the lunar far side's Columbia craters.

D. Brown Crater honors David McDowell Brown (April 16, 1956-Feb. 1, 2003). The United States Navy captain and NASA astronaut served as Mission Specialist 1 on Space Shuttle Columbia's 28th and final mission, which also qualified as Brown's first and last spaceflight.

D. Brown Crater is centered at minus 41.65 degrees south latitude, minus 147.16 degrees west longitude. Its northernmost and southernmost latitudes exist at minus 41.38 degrees south and minus 41.91 degrees south, respectively. It realizes its easternmost and westernmost longitudes at minus 146.80 degrees west and minus 147.52 degrees west, respectively. D. Brown Crater has a diameter of 16.12 kilometers.

L. Clark Crater honors Laurel Blair Salton Clark (March 10, 1961-Feb. 1, 2003). For her first and only spaceflight, the American Naval Flight Surgeon and NASA astronaut served as Mission Specialist 4 on Space Shuttle Columbia's fatal 28th mission.

L. Clark Crater is centered at minus 43.34 degrees south latitude, minus 147.70 degrees west longitude. It reveals northernmost and southernmost latitudes of minus 43.08 degrees south and minus 43.59 degrees south, respectively. It reaches its easternmost and westernmost longitudes at minus 147.35 degrees west and minus 148.04 degrees west, respectively. L. Clark Crater has a diameter of 15.30 kilometers.

Craters named for Space Shuttle Columbia's seven fallen astronaut occur in the southeastern interior of Apollo Crater, also known as Apollo Basin, an enormous impact crater in the southern hemisphere on the lunar far side; Moon 1:10 million-scale Shaded Relief and Color-coded Topography: via Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

McCool Crater lies to the northeast of Chawla Crater. McCool Crater's position qualifies as the easternmost among the lunar far side's Columbia craters.

McCool Crater honors American naval officer and aviator, test pilot, aeronautical engineer and NASA astronaut William Cameron McCool (born William Cameron Graham; Sep. 23, 1961-Feb. 1, 2003). McCool's position as the STS-107 mission's Pilot marked his first and only spaceflight.

McCool Crater is centered at minus 41.28 degrees south latitude, minus 146.26 degrees west longitude. Its northernmost and southernmost latitudes terminate at minus 40.94 degrees south and minus 41.62 degrees south latitude, respectively. Its easternmost and westernmost longitudes end at minus 145.81 degrees west and minus 146.71 degrees west, respectively. McCool Crater has a diameter of 20.47 kilometers.

M. Anderson and Ramon craters are sited to the northwest of Chawla Crater. M. Anderson Crater's position to the west of Ramon Crater qualifies as the westernmost among the lunar far side's Columbia craters.

M. Anderson Crater honors Michael Phillip Anderson (Dec. 25, 1959-Feb. 1, 2003). The United States Air Force officer and NASA astronaut served as Payload Commander and Mission Specialist 3 for his second spaceflight.

M. Anderson Crater is centered at minus 41.21 degrees south latitude, minus 148.99 degrees west longitude. It marks its northernmost and southernmost latitudes at minus 40.93 degrees south and minus 41.49 degrees south, respectively. It posts its easternmost and westernmost longitudes at minus 148.62 degrees west and minus 149.36 degrees west, respectively. M. Anderson Crater has a diameter of 16.94 kilometers.

Ramon Crater honors Ilan Ramon (born Ilan Wolferman; June 20, 1954-Feb 1, 2003). The Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter pilot and first Israeli astronaut served as Space Shuttle Columbia's Payload Specialist for his first and only spaceflight.

Ramon Crater is centered at minus 41.23 degrees south latitude, minus 148.08 degrees west longitude. Ramon Crater obtains its northernmost and southernmost latitudes at minus 40.97 degrees south and minus 41.49 degrees south, respectively. Its easternmost and westernmost longitudes occur at minus 147.71 degrees west and minus 148.45 degrees west, respectively. Ramon Crater has a diameter of 17.23 kilometers.

Husband Crater is placed distantly to the northwest of Chawla Crater. It resides north of Ramon Crater and northeast of M. Anderson Crater. Husband Crater's position qualifies as the northernmost among the lunar far side's Columbia craters.

Husband Crater honors Richard "Rick" Douglas Husband (July 12, 1957-Feb. 1, 2003). For his second spaceflight, the American fighter pilot and NASA astronaut served as commander of Space Shuttle Columbia's last, tragic flight, Thursday, Jan. 16, to Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003.

Commander Rick Husband's lunar crater is centered at minus 40.32 degrees south latitude, minus 147.84 degrees west longitude. It experiences northernmost and southernmost latitudes of minus 39.85 degrees south and minus 40.78 degrees south, respectively. The crater encounters its easternmost and westernmost longitudes at minus 147.17 degrees west and minus 148.51 degrees west, respectively. Husband Crater's diameter measures 31.26 kilometers.

Chawla Crater's name received official approval in 2006, during the International Astronomical Union’s XXVIth (26th) General Assembly, held Monday, Aug. 14, to Friday, Aug. 25, in Prague, Czech Republic. Batch approval of all seven Columbia-themed lunar craters was granted during the XXVIth General Assembly.

Detail of Lunar Aeronautical Chart (LAC) 121 shows the seven southern hemisphere craters honoring Mission Specialist 2 Kalpana Chawla and her six Space Shuttle Columbia colleagues in the lunar far side's Apollo Basin: image credit NASA/GSFC/ASU, 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.

Dedication

This post is dedicated to the memory of our beloved blue-eyed brother, Charles, who guided the creation of the Met Opera and Astronomy posts on Earth and Space News. We memorialized our brother in "Our Beloved Blue-Eyed Brother, Charles, With Whom We Are Well Pleased," published on Earth and Space News on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, an anniversary of our beloved father's death.

Image credits:

On Friday, Jan. 17, 2003, during her second spaceflight, Kalpana Chawla, mission specialist 2 of Space Shuttle Columbia's 28th mission, STS-107 (Thursday, Jan. 16, to Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003), is stationed on the shuttle orbiter's flight deck; NASA ID S107E05001: Not subject to copyright, via NASA Image and Video Library @ https://images.nasa.gov/details/S107E05001

Craters named for Space Shuttle Columbia's seven fallen astronaut occur in the southeastern interior of Apollo Crater, also known as Apollo Basin, an enormous impact crater in the southern hemisphere on the lunar far side; Moon 1:10 million-scale Shaded Relief and Color-coded Topography: via Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature @ https://asc-planetarynames-data.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/moon_farside.pdf

Detail of Lunar Aeronautical Chart (LAC) 121 shows the seven southern hemisphere craters honoring Mission Specialist 2 Kalpana Chawla and her six Space Shuttle Columbia colleagues in the lunar far side's Apollo Basin: image credit NASA/GSFC/ASU, via USGS Astrogeology Science Center / Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature @ https://asc-planetarynames-data.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Lunar/lac_121_wac.pdf

For further information:

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Available @ http://apollo.sese.asu.edu/LIW/20090714.html

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Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/326

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “Borman.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/827

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “Chawla.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14139

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “D. Brown.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14138

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “Husband.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14140

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “L. Clark.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14143

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “M. Anderson.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Feb. 1, 2011, 2:19 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14137

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “McCool.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14141

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “Ramon.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14142

Marriner, Derdriu. "Ilan Ramon Had Moon Landscape Drawing by Petr Ginz on Columbia Shuttle." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2024/01/ilan-ramon-had-moon-landscape-drawing.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Lunar D. Brown Crater Honors Columbia Mission Specialist David Brown." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2024/02/lunar-d-brown-crater-honors-columbia.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Lunar Far Side Husband Crater Honors Columbia Commander Rick Husband." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2024/01/lunar-far-side-husband-crater-honors.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Lunar Far Side McCool Crater Honors Columbia Pilot William McCool." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2024/01/lunar-far-side-mccool-crater-honors.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Lunar Far Side Ramon Crater Honors First Israeli Astronaut Ilan Ramon." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2024/01/lunar-far-side-ramon-crater-honors.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "M. Anderson Crater Honors Columbia Payload Commander Michael Anderson." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2024/02/m-anderson-crater-honors-columbia.html

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

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

The Moon Wiki. “Chawla.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > C Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/Chawla

The Moon Wiki. “D. Brown.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > D Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/D._Brown

The Moon Wiki. “Husband.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > H Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/Husband

The Moon Wiki. “L. Clark.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > L Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/L._Clark

The Moon Wiki. “M. Anderson.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > M Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/M._Anderson

The Moon Wiki. “McCool.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > M Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/McCool

The Moon Wiki. “Ramon.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > R Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/Ramon

Morrison, Donald A. (Allen); and D. Ben J. Bussey. "The Apollo and Korolev basins and the stratigraphy of the lunar crust." Pages 987-988. Lunar and Planetary Science XXVIII: Abstracts of Papers Submitted to the Twenty-eighth Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, March 17-21, 1997, Part 2 P-Z (1057-1638). Houston TX: Lunar and Planetary Institute, 1997.
Available via Harvard ADSABS (NASA Astrophysics Data System Abstracts) @ https://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1997LPI....28..987M
Available via Harvard ADSABS (NASA Astrophysics Data System Abstracts) @ https://adsabs.harvard.edu/pdf/1997LPI....28..987M

NASA's Glenn Research Center. "Jean-Pierre Harrison, husband of Columbia astronaut Kalpana Chawla, shared personal photos & memories of her during our day of remembrance event #NASARemembers #NASAglenn." Jan. 31, 2017.
Available via Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/NASAGlenn/posts/jean-pierre-harrison-husband-of-columbia-astronaut-kalpana-chawla-shared-persona/10154806513775943/

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "David Brown, Mission Specialist." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/Brown.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/Brown%20Astronaut%20Bio%20Data.htm

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "Ilan Ramon, Payload Specialist." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA @ https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ramon.pdf
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/Ramon.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/PAYLOA%7E1.HTM

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "Kalpana Chawla, Mission Specialist." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/Chawla.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/ASTRON%7E1.HTM

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "Laurel Blair Salton Clark, Mission Specialist." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/Clark.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/Clark%20Astronaut%20Bio%20Data.htm

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "Michael P. Anderson, Payload Commander." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/Anderson.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/anderson_biodata.htm

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "Rick D. Husband, Commander." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/Husband.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/ASTRON%7E2.HTM

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "William C. McCool, Pilot." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/McCool.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/McCool%20Astronaut%20Bio%20Data.htm

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van der Hucht, Karel, ed. XXVIth General Assembly Transactions of the IAU Vol. XXVI B Proceedings of the 26th General Assembly Prague, Czech Republic, August 14-25, 2006. Cambridge UK: Cambridge University Press, Dec. 30, 2008. Available @ https://www.iau.org/publications/iau/transactions_b/

Lunar D. Brown Crater Honors Columbia Mission Specialist David Brown

Summary: Lunar D. Brown Crater honors Space Shuttle Columbia Mission Specialist David Brown, who perished with his six colleagues on the spaceplane in 2003.

During his first and only spaceflight, David Brown, mission specialist 1 of Space Shuttle Columbia's 28th mission, STS-107 (Thursday, Jan. 16, to Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003), reviews paperwork preparatory to working on experiments on the space shuttle orbiter's SPACEHAB Research Double Module (RDM); NASA ID S107E05025: Not subject to copyright, via NASA Image and Video Library

The lunar southern hemisphere's far side D. Brown Crater honors Space Shuttle Columbia Mission Specialist 1 David McDowell Brown (April 16, 1956-Feb. 1, 2003), who perished during his first spaceflight, along with six colleagues, as the shuttle orbiter re-entered Earth's atmosphere Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003.

The lunar far side's seven craters named for Columbia astronauts inhabit the southeastern interior of Apollo Crater. Also known as Apollo Basin, the conspicuous crater resides as a basin-within-a-basin in the immense South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin. Apollo Crater lies in the SPA Basin's northeastern quadrant, according to Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center's mineralogy and petrology specialist, Canadian-American geologist Donald Allen Morrison (July 19, 1936-Jan. 16, 2021), and then Lunar and Planetary Institute postdoctoral researcher, American physicist and planetary geologist D. Benjamin J. Bussey, in their paper, "The Apollo and Korolev basins and the stratigraphy of the lunar crust," presented at the 28th Lunar and Planetary Sciences Conference (LPSC 1997), held in Houston, Texas, March 17-21, 1997.

Apollo Crater is centered at minus 35.69 degrees south latitude, minus 151.48 degrees west longitude, according to the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. The southern hemisphere crater's northernmost and southernmost latitudes extend from minus 28.12 degrees south to minus 44.19 degrees south, respectively. The worn geologic structure's easternmost and westernmost longitudes stretch from minus 140.58 degrees west to minus 162.07 degrees west, respectively. Apollo Crater's diameter spans 524.23 kilometers.

United States Navy captain and NASA astronaut David Brown's crater is centered at minus 41.65 degrees south latitude, minus 147.16 degrees west longitude. It records its northernmost and southernmost latitudes at minus 41.38 degrees south and minus 41.91 degrees south, respectively. It registers its easternmost and westernmost longitudes at minus 146.80 degrees west and minus 147.52 degrees west, respectively. D. Brown Crater has a diameter of 16.12 kilometers.

D. Brown Crater nestles near McCool and Ramon craters. McCool Crater's location to the northeast of D. Brown Crater qualifies as the easternmost position among the lunar far side's Columbia craters. Ramon Crater is sited to the west of McCool Crater and to the northwest of D. Brown Crater.

McCool Crater honors American naval officer and aviator, test pilot, aeronautical engineer and NASA astronaut William Cameron McCool (born William Cameron Graham; Sep. 23, 1961-Feb. 1, 2003). McCool's position as the STS-107 mission's Pilot marked his first and only spaceflight.

McCool Crater is centered at minus 41.28 degrees south latitude, minus 146.26 degrees west longitude. It identifies its northernmost and southernmost latitudes at minus 40.94 degrees south and minus 41.62 degrees south latitude, respectively. It attains its easternmost and westernmost longitudes at minus 145.81 degrees west and minus 146.71 degrees west, respectively. McCool Crater has a diameter of 20.47 kilometers.

Ramon Crater honors Ilan Ramon (born Ilan Wolferman; June 20, 1954-Feb 1, 2003). The Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter pilot and first Israeli astronaut served as Space Shuttle Columbia's Payload Specialist for his first and only spaceflight.

Ramon Crater is centered at minus 41.23 degrees south latitude, minus 148.08 degrees west longitude. Ramon Crater parameterizes its northernmost and southernmost latitudes at minus 40.97 degrees south and minus 41.49 degrees south, respectively. It maps its easternmost and westernmost longitudes at minus 147.71 degrees west and minus 148.45 degrees west, respectively. Ramon Crater has a diameter of 17.23 kilometers.

M. Anderson Crater's position to the northwest of D. Brown Crater qualifies as the westernmost position among the lunar far side's Columbia craters. M. Anderson Crater resides to the west of Ramon Crater.

M. Anderson Crater honors Michael Phillip Anderson (Dec. 25, 1959-Feb. 1, 2003). The United States Air Force officer and NASA astronaut served as Payload Commander and Mission Specialist 3 for his second spaceflight.

M. Anderson Crater is centered at minus 41.21 degrees south latitude, minus 148.99 degrees west longitude. It ends its northernmost and southernmost latitudes at minus 40.93 degrees south and minus 41.49 degrees south, respectively. It confines its easternmost and westernmost longitudes to minus 148.62 degrees west and minus 149.36 degrees west, respectively. M. Anderson Crater has a diameter of 16.94 kilometers.

Craters named for Space Shuttle Columbia's seven fallen astronaut occur in the southeastern interior of Apollo Crater, also known as Apollo Basin, an enormous impact crater in the southern hemisphere on the lunar far side; Moon 1:10 million-scale Shaded Relief and Color-coded Topography: via Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

Husband Crater's position to the northwest of D. Brown Crater qualifies as the northernmost among the lunar far side's Columbia craters. Husband Crater lies north of Ramon Crater and northeast of M. Anderson Crater.

Husband Crater honors Richard "Rick" Douglas Husband (July 12, 1957-Feb. 1, 2003). For his second spaceflight, the American fighter pilot and NASA astronaut served as commander of Space Shuttle Columbia's last, tragic flight, Thursday, Jan. 16, to Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003.

Commander Rick Husband's lunar crater is centered at minus 40.32 degrees south latitude, minus 147.84 degrees west longitude. It credits its northernmost and southernmost latitudes at minus 39.85 degrees south and minus 40.78 degrees south, respectively. It finalizes its easternmost and westernmost longitudes at minus 147.17 degrees west and minus 148.51 degrees west, respectively.

Husband Crater's diameter measures 31.26 kilometers. Its diameter qualifies as the largest among the lunar far side's Columbia craters.

D. Brown Crater associates with Chawla and L. Clark craters as southern neighbors. Chawla Crater is located to the south of D. Brown Crater. L. Clark Crater's position to the south of Chawla Crater qualifies as the southernmost among the lunar far side's Columbia craters.

Chawla Crater honors first Indian female astronaut and first Indian-American astronaut Kalpana "K.C." Chawla (March 17, 1962-Feb. 1, 2003). For her second spaceflight, the aerospace engineer, aerobatic pilot and NASA astronaut served as Mission Specialist 2 on Space Shuttle Columbia's last, fatal mission.

Chawla Crater is centered at minus 42.48 degrees south latitude, minus 147.49 degrees west longitude. It determines its northernmost and southernmost latitudes at minus 42.24 degrees south and minus 42.71 degrees south, respectively. It achieves its easternmost and westernmost longitudes at minus 147.17 degrees west and minus 147.80 degrees west, respectively.

Chawla Crater has a diameter of 14.25 kilometers. Its littleness qualifies Chawla Crater as the smallest of the lunar far side's Columbia Craters.

L. Clark Crater honors Laurel Blair Salton Clark (March 10, 1961-Feb. 1, 2003). For her first and only spaceflight, the American Naval Flight Surgeon and NASA astronaut served as Mission Specialist 4 on Space Shuttle Columbia's fatal 28th mission.

L. Clark Crater is centered at minus 43.34 degrees south latitude, minus 147.70 degrees west longitude. It finds its northernmost and southernmost latitudes at minus 43.08 degrees south and minus 43.59 degrees south, respectively. It meets its easternmost and westernmost longitudes at minus 147.35 degrees west and minus 148.04 degrees west, respectively. L. Clark Crater has a diameter of 15.30 kilometers.

The International Astronomical Union granted official approval of D. Brown Crater’s name in 2006, during the organization’s XXVIth (26th) General Assembly, held Monday, Aug. 14, to Friday, Aug. 25, in Prague, Czech Republic. Batch approval of all seven Columbia-themed craters occurred during the XXVIth General Assembly.

Detail of Lunar Aeronautical Chart (LAC) 121 shows the seven southern hemisphere craters honoring Mission Specialist David Brown and his six Space Shuttle Columbia colleagues in the lunar far side's Apollo Basin: image credit NASA/GSFC/ASU, 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.

Dedication

This post is dedicated to the memory of our beloved blue-eyed brother, Charles, who guided the creation of the Met Opera and Astronomy posts on Earth and Space News. We memorialized our brother in "Our Beloved Blue-Eyed Brother, Charles, With Whom We Are Well Pleased," published on Earth and Space News on Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, an anniversary of our beloved father's death.

Image credits:

During his first and only spaceflight, David Brown, mission specialist 1 of Space Shuttle Columbia's 28th mission, STS-107 (Thursday, Jan. 16, to Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003), reviews paperwork on Friday, Jan. 17, 2003, preparatory to working on experiments on the space shuttle orbiter's SPACEHAB Research Double Module (RDM); NASA ID S107E05025: Not subject to copyright, via NASA Image and Video Library @ https://images.nasa.gov/details/S107E05025

Craters named for Space Shuttle Columbia's seven fallen astronaut occur in the southeastern interior of Apollo Crater, also known as Apollo Basin, an enormous impact crater in the southern hemisphere on the lunar far side; Moon 1:10 million-scale Shaded Relief and Color-coded Topography: via Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature @ https://asc-planetarynames-data.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/moon_farside.pdf

Detail of Lunar Aeronautical Chart (LAC) 121 shows the seven southern hemisphere craters honoring Mission Specialist David Brown and his six Space Shuttle Columbia colleagues in the lunar far side's Apollo Basin: image credit NASA/GSFC/ASU, via USGS Astrogeology Science Center / Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature @ https://asc-planetarynames-data.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Lunar/lac_121_wac.pdf

For further information:

Arizona State University Apollo Image Archive. "Featured Image -- 07/14/2009 Aitken Crater." ASU (Arizona State University) SER (Space Exploration Resources) Apollo Image Archive > Featured Image List.
Available @ http://apollo.sese.asu.edu/LIW/20090714.html

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “Apollo.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/326

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “Borman.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/827

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “Chawla.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14139

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “D. Brown.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14138

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “Husband.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14140

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “L. Clark.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14143

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “M. Anderson.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Feb. 1, 2011, 2:19 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14137

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “McCool.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14141

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “Ramon.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14142

Marriner, Derdriu. "Ilan Ramon Had Moon Landscape Drawing by Petr Ginz on Columbia Shuttle." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2024/01/ilan-ramon-had-moon-landscape-drawing.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Lunar Far Side Husband Crater Honors Columbia Commander Rick Husband." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2024/01/lunar-far-side-husband-crater-honors.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Lunar Far Side McCool Crater Honors Columbia Pilot William McCool." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2024/01/lunar-far-side-mccool-crater-honors.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Lunar Far Side Ramon Crater Honors First Israeli Astronaut Ilan Ramon." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2024/01/lunar-far-side-ramon-crater-honors.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "M. Anderson Crater Honors Columbia Payload Commander Michael Anderson." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2024/02/m-anderson-crater-honors-columbia.html

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

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

The Moon Wiki. “Chawla.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > C Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/Chawla

The Moon Wiki. “D. Brown.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > D Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/D._Brown

The Moon Wiki. “Husband.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > H Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/Husband

The Moon Wiki. “L. Clark.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > L Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/L._Clark

The Moon Wiki. “M. Anderson.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > M Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/M._Anderson

The Moon Wiki. “McCool.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > M Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/McCool

The Moon Wiki. “Ramon.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > R Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/Ramon

Morrison, Donald A. (Allen); and D. Ben J. Bussey. "The Apollo and Korolev basins and the stratigraphy of the lunar crust." Pages 987-988. Lunar and Planetary Science XXVIII: Abstracts of Papers Submitted to the Twenty-eighth Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, March 17-21, 1997, Part 2 P-Z (1057-1638). Houston TX: Lunar and Planetary Institute, 1997.
Available via Harvard ADSABS (NASA Astrophysics Data System Abstracts) @ https://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1997LPI....28..987M
Available via Harvard ADSABS (NASA Astrophysics Data System Abstracts) @ https://adsabs.harvard.edu/pdf/1997LPI....28..987M

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "David Brown, Mission Specialist." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/Brown.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/Brown%20Astronaut%20Bio%20Data.htm

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "Ilan Ramon, Payload Specialist." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA @ https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ramon.pdf
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/Ramon.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/PAYLOA%7E1.HTM

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "Kalpana Chawla, Mission Specialist." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/Chawla.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/ASTRON%7E1.HTM

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "Laurel Blair Salton Clark, Mission Specialist." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/Clark.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/Clark%20Astronaut%20Bio%20Data.htm

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "Michael P. Anderson, Payload Commander." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/Anderson.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/anderson_biodata.htm

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "Rick D. Husband, Commander." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/Husband.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/ASTRON%7E2.HTM

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "William C. McCool, Pilot." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/McCool.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/McCool%20Astronaut%20Bio%20Data.htm

Robinson, Mark. "Challenger Astronauts Memorialized on the Moon." ASU (Arizona State University) SESE (School of Earth and Space Exploration) LROC (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera) > Posts. Jan. 28, 2011.
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van der Hucht, Karel, ed. XXVIth General Assembly Transactions of the IAU Vol. XXVI B Proceedings of the 26th General Assembly Prague, Czech Republic, August 14-25, 2006. Cambridge UK: Cambridge University Press, Dec. 30, 2008. Available @ https://www.iau.org/publications/iau/transactions_b/

Apollo 8 Imaged Joliot Crater During December 1968 Lunar Orbits

Summary: Apollo 8 imaged Joliot Crater during December 1968 lunar orbits conducted by the first three humans to travel to another astronomical body.

High-altitude, oblique view, looking northeastward across lunar far side, shows Joliot Crater (center left), dark-floored Lomonosov Crater (center right) and bright-rayed Giordano Bruno (below Lomonosov); Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 1968, photograph taken from Apollo 8 spacecraft; NASA ID AS08-12-2209; National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): Generally not subject to copyright in the United States, via NASA Image and Video Library

Apollo 8 imaged Joliot Crater during December 1968 lunar orbits conducted by the first human-crewed mission to journey to another astronomical body.

Crater Joliot is situated in a lava-flooded area to the north-northeast of Mare Marginis on the far side of the moon. As viewed from the moon, Joliot Crater occupies the far side’s northwestern quadrant, along the western limb. A favorable libration brings Joliot into view along the near side’s eastern limb for Earth-based moonwatchers.

Joliot Crater is centered at 25.79 degrees north latitude, 93.39 degrees east longitude, according to the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. The northern hemisphere crater registers northernmost and southernmost latitudes of 28.64 degrees north and 22.94 degrees north, respectively. Joliot obtains easternmost and westernmost longitudes of 96.55 degrees east and 90.22 degrees east, respectively. The lunar impact crater’s diameter spans 172.79 kilometers.

Joliot parents one satellite. Joliot P lies to the south-southwest of its parent. The satellite is centered at 22.34 degrees north latitude, 91.99 degrees east longitude. Its northernmost and southernmost latitudes narrowly touch 22.54 degrees north and 22.15 degrees north, respectively. The satellite petitely marks easternmost and westernmost longitudes of 92.2 degrees east and 91.78 degrees east, respectively. Joliot P’s diameter measures 11.82 kilometers.

Two primary craters are attached to Joliot Crater’s rim. Lyapunov Crater hugs Joliot’s western rim. Rayleigh Crater snuggles against Joliot’s northwestern rim.

Lyapunov is centered at 12.7 degrees north latitude, 86.52 degrees east longitude. The lunar impact crater’s northernmost and southernmost latitudes extend to 27.54 degrees north and 25.31 degrees north, respectively. Its easternmost and westernmost longitudes reach 90.61 degrees east and 88.12 degrees east, respectively. Lyapunov has a diameter of 67.58 kilometers.

Lyapunov is attached to the south-southeastern rim of Rayleigh Crater, the other crater adjoining Joliot. Rayleigh is centered at 29.12 degrees north latitude, 89.45 degrees east longitude. Rayleigh obtains northernmost and southernmost latitudes of 31 degrees north and 27.24 degrees north, respectively. The lunar impact crater marks easternmost and westernmost longitudes of 91.59 degrees east and 87.3 degrees, respectively. Rayleigh’s diameter measures 113.77 kilometers.

Joliot Crater’s namesake is Jean Frédéric Joliot-Curie (March 19, 1900-Aug. 14, 1958). In 1935, the French chemist and physicist was jointly awarded the Noble Prize in Chemistry with his wife, Irène Joliot-Curie (Sept. 12, 1897-March 17, 1956), for their discovery of induced radioactivity, also known as artificial radioactivity or manmade radioactivity. French chemist and physicist Irène Joliot-Curie was the elder daughter of Noble Prize winners Marie Skłodowska Curie (Nov. 7, 1867-July 4, 1934) and Pierre Curie (May 15, 1859-April 19, 1906). Irène and Jean combined their surnames to form Joliot-Curie as their married surname.

The crater’s name of Joliot-Curie was approved at the IAU’s Eleventh General Assembly, held in Berkeley, California, from Tuesday, Aug. 15, to Thursday, Aug. 24, 1961. The crater’s name was truncated to Joliot during the Fourteenth General Assembly, held in Brighton, United Kingdom, from Monday, Aug. 18, to Thursday, Aug. 27, 1970.

Crater Lyapunov’s namesake is Aleksandr Mikhailovich Lyapunov (June 6, 1857-Nov. 3, 1918). The Russian mathematician is credited with developing the stability theory of a dynamical system. The IAU approved the crater’s name during the organization’s Twelfth General Assembly, held in Hamburg, Germany, from Tuesday, Aug. 25, to Thursday, Sept. 3, 1964.

Crater Rayleigh honors John William Strutt, 3rd Baron Rayleigh (Nov. 12, 1842-June 30, 1919). The British physicist received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1904 for his research on important gas densities and for his discovery of argon (chemical symbol Ar; atomic number 18), the third most abundant gas in Earth’s atmosphere. The crater’s name joined Lyapunov Crater in receiving official approval during the IAU’s twelfth General Assembly.

Apollo 8 launched Saturday, Dec. 21, 1968, as the first human-crewed, lunar orbiting mission. The mission’s Command-Service Module (CSM) 103 made 10 lunar orbits between Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24, and Christmas, Wednesday, Dec. 25. Lunar Module Pilot (LMP) William Alison Anders (born Oct. 17, 1933) was tasked as the mission’s official photographer. Frank Frederick Borman II (born March 14, 1928) commanded the mission. James “Jim” Arthur Lovell Jr. (born March 25, 1928) crewed as the Command Module Pilot (CMP).

The takeaway for Apollo 8’s image of Joliot Crater during the mission’s December 1968 lunar orbits is that the impact crater's placement along the lunar far side's western limb allows for visibility to Earth-based moonwatchers during favorable librations.

Detail of Lunar Aeronautical Chart (LAC) 46 shows Joliot Crater, with attached primary craters Lyapunov and Rayleigh to the west (left) and satellite Joliot P to the south (below); scale 1:1,000,000; Mercator Projection: United States Air Force (USAF) Aeronautical Chart and Information Center (ACIC) via USGS/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:

High-altitude, oblique view, looking northeastward across lunar far side, shows Joliot Crater (center left), dark-floored Lomonosov Crater (center right) and bright-rayed Giordano Bruno (below Lomonosov); Christmas Eve, Tuesday, Dec. 24, 1968, photograph taken from Apollo 8 spacecraft; NASA ID AS08-12-2209; National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): Generally not subject to copyright in the United States; may use this material for educational or informational purposes, including photo collections, textbooks, public exhibits, computer graphical simulations and Internet Web pages; general permission extends to personal Web pages, via NASA Image and Video Library @ https://images.nasa.gov/details-as08-12-2209;
No known copyright restrictions, via GetArchive NARA (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration) & DVIDS (Defense Visual Information Distribution Service) Public Domain Archive @ https://nara.getarchive.net/media/as08-12-2209-apollo-8-apollo-8-mission-image-joliot-curie-lomonosov-e46a92;
NASA Johnson Space Center Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, No copyright maintained, via Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth @ https://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/SearchPhotos/photo.pl?mission=AS08&roll=12&frame=2209;
Project Apollo Archive (Apollo Image Gallery), Public Domain, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/projectapolloarchive/21879350378;
Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons @ https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:AS08-12-2209_(21879350378).jpg

Detail of Lunar Aeronautical Chart (LAC) 46 shows Joliot Crater, with attached primary craters Lyapunov and Rayleigh to the west (left) and satellite Joliot P to the south (below); scale 1:1,000,000; Mercator Projection: United States Air Force (USAF) Aeronautical Chart and Information Center (ACIC) via USGS/Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/images/Lunar/lac_46_wac.pdf

For further information:

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Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/2839

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Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/10231

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Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/3462

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Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/3526

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Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/3681

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Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/4966

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Marriner, Derdriu. “Apollo 8 Imaged Lomonosov Crater During December 1968 Lunar Orbits.” Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013.
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