Endymion (crater)


Endymion is a lunar impact crater that lies near the northeast limb of the Moon. It is located to the east of Mare Frigoris, and north of the Lacus Temporis. To the southwest is the somewhat smaller crater Atlas. Because of its location, Endymion has an oval appearance from foreshortening. Beyond the crater along the lunar limb is the Mare Humboldtianum.
The floor of Endymion has been covered in low-albedo lava that gives it a dark appearance and makes it relatively easy to locate. The floor is relatively smooth, with only a few craterlets located within the rim. A string of three lie near the northwestern inner wall. There is a wrinkle ridge crossing the crater floor, and near the center is a low, eroded hill that may be the summit of a central peak that is now almost completely submerged by lava. Faint streaks of ray material from Thales to the north-northwest crosses the dark floor. The outer is low, wide, and worn from impact erosion.

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 Endymion.
EndymionLatitudeLongitudeDiameter
A54.7° N62.8° E30 km
B59.8° N67.2° E59 km
C58.4° N60.8° E32 km
D52.4° N62.4° E20 km
E53.6° N66.2° E18 km
F56.9° N65.1° E12 km
G56.4° N55.6° E15 km
H51.1° N56.3° E14 km
J53.5° N50.7° E67 km
K51.3° N52.3° E7 km
L55.4° N71.0° E9 km
M52.7° N70.9° E9 km
N52.4° N69.6° E9 km
W52.7° N69.2° E10 km
X52.9° N50.1° E6 km
Y55.8° N58.0° E8 km