Patsaev (crater)
Patsaev (upper left of center) with Patsaev Q (below left of Patsaev) and Patsaev K (lower right), on the far side of the moon. The rim of Tsiolkovskiy is in lower left corner. (Apollo 15 Mapping Camera image)
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| Coordinates | 16°42′S 133°24′E / 16.7°S 133.4°ECoordinates: 16°42′S 133°24′E / 16.7°S 133.4°E |
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| Diameter | 55 km |
| Depth | unknown |
| Colongitude | 227° at sunrise |
| Eponym | Viktor I. Patsayev |
Patsaev is a lunar crater that lies on the far side of the Moon, to the northeast of the prominent crater Tsiolkovskiy. To the northwest is the smaller crater Lander.
This is a heavily damaged crater that now appears as little more than an irregular depression in the surface. Both the outer rim and interior floor are streaked by jumbled ridges of material that are radial to Tsiolkovskiy. Most likely this is ejecta deposited during Tsiolkovskiy's formation.
It is named after cosmonaut Viktor Patsayev who died in Soyuz 11 mission.
Within Patsaev Q is a tiny crater that was officially designated Kira by the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Kira is a Russian feminine name – the crater is not actually named for any specific person. The selenographic coordinates of this feature are 17.6° S, 132.8° E, and the diameter is 3 km.
By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Patsaev.
The satellite crater Patsaev Q is located just to the southwest of Patsaev. In the past it was suggested that this feature be renamed Chenier, in honor of André Marie Chénier the French poet, but this was never adopted by the IAU.
Oblique view facing southwest of Patsaev Q (and Kira) from Apollo 17
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Wikipedia