Catharina (crater)


Catharina is an ancient lunar impact crater located in the southern highlands. It was named after Saint Catherine of Alexandria. It lies in a rugged stretch of land between the Rupes Altai scarp to the west and Mare Nectaris in the east. To the west-northwest is the crater Tacitus, and the lava-flooded Beaumont lies to the east along the shore of Mare Nectaris. To the south-southeast is Polybius.
With the large craters Cyrillus and Theophilus in the north, Catharina forms a prominent grouping that is framed by the curve of the Rupes Altai. Together they form a notable feature when the Sun is at a low angle to the surface. There is also a distinct difference in the ages of these three craters, with the age increasing significantly from north to south.
The rim of Catharina is heavily worn and irregular, with most of the north wall incised by the worn ring of crater Catharina P. The northeast wall is deeply impacted by several smaller craters. No remains on the inner wall, and the outer has been nearly eroded away. The floor is relatively flat but rugged, with a curved ridge formed by Catharina P, and the remains of a smaller crater near the south wall. Nothing remains of a central peak.

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 Catharina.
CatharinaLatitudeLongitudeDiameter
A20.2° S22.3° E14 km
B17.0° S24.3° E24 km
C20.3° S24.4° E28 km
D16.8° S21.4° E9 km
E17.1° S21.3° E7 km
F19.5° S23.1° E7 km
G17.4° S24.9° E17 km
H19.2° S25.4° E6 km
J19.4° S22.2° E6 km
K20.0° S23.9° E7 km
L21.0° S24.3° E5 km
M19.2° S20.7° E6 km
P17.2° S23.3° E46 km
S18.8° S23.3° E16 km