Bjerknes (lunar crater)

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Bjerknes
Bjerknes lunar crater.jpg
LRO WAC image
Coordinates 38°24′S113°00′E / 38.4°S 113.0°E / -38.4; 113.0 Coordinates: 38°24′S113°00′E / 38.4°S 113.0°E / -38.4; 113.0
Diameter 48 km
Depth Unknown
Colongitude 247° at sunrise
Eponym Vilhelm F. K. Bjerknes
Oblique view from Lunar Orbiter 3, facing south Bjerknes crater 3121 med.jpg
Oblique view from Lunar Orbiter 3, facing south
Oblique view from Apollo 17, facing east Bjerknes crater AS17-M-3184.jpg
Oblique view from Apollo 17, facing east

Bjerknes is a lunar impact crater that is located in the southern hemisphere on the rugged far side of the Moon. The crater lies behind the southeastern limb, and beyond the region that is sometimes brought into sight through libration. Thus this crater can not be viewed from Earth, and has only been seen from orbit. Nearby named craters are Clark to the east, and Pogson to the south-southwest.

The crater rim is generally circular, but with some slight irregularities along the northeastern quadrant. The rim is relatively sharp-edged, and displays little appearance of wear. The interior floor is rough and irregular, beginning with the slumped material at the base of the inner walls.

The crater is named in honor of Vilhelm Bjerknes, a pioneer in the field of weather forecasting.

Satellite craters

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

BjerknesLatitudeLongitudeDiameter
A36.0° S113.7° E18 km
B37.2° S113.8° E20 km
E38.0° S115.0° E54 km

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References