Langrenus (crater)
Oblique Lunar Orbiter 4 image
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| Coordinates | 8°54′S 60°54′E / 8.9°S 60.9°ECoordinates: 8°54′S 60°54′E / 8.9°S 60.9°E |
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| Diameter | 132 km |
| Depth | 2.7 km |
| Colongitude | 300° at sunrise |
| Eponym | Michel F. van Langren |
Langrenus is a prominent impact crater located near the eastern lunar limb. The feature is circular in shape, but appears oblong due to foreshortening. It lies on the eastern shore of the Mare Fecunditatis. To the south is the overlapping crater pair Vendelinus and the smaller Lamé.
The inner wall of Langrenus is wide and irregularly , with an average width of about 20 kilometers. The outer are irregular and hilly, and there is a bright, fragmented ray system spread across the mare to the west. The interior of the crater has a higher albedo than the surroundings, so the crater stands out prominently when the Sun is overhead. The crater floor is covered by many boulders, and is slightly irregular in the northwest half. The central peaks rise about a kilometer above the floor, and a peak on the eastern rim ascends to an altitude of 3 km.
In the past this crater has not been noted as a site for observing transient lunar phenomena. However, on December 30, 1992, Audouin Dollfus of the Observatoire de Paris observed a series of glows on the floor of this crater using the one-meter telescope. These glows changed form with time, and Professor Dollfus expressed the belief that this was likely a gaseous emission. The cracked floor of the crater may have been the source of the gas.
The Flemish Astronomer Michel Florent van Langren was the first person to draw a lunar map while giving names to many of the features. He even named this crater after himself. Ironically, this is the only one of his named features that has retained his original designation.
By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Langrenus.
Many of the more significant associated craters that surround Langrenus have since been renamed by the IAU.
Langrenus M
Langrenus X (lower left) and unnamed crater (upper right)
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