Piccolomini (crater)


Piccolomini is a prominent lunar impact crater located in the southeastern sector of the Moon. The crater is named after 16th century Italian Archbishop and astronomer Alessandro Piccolomini. The crater Rothmann lies to the west-southwest, and to the south is Stiborius. The lengthy Rupes Altai begins at the western rim of Piccolomini, curving to the northwest. It is 88 kilometers in diameter and 4,500 meters deep. It is from the Upper Imbrian period, 3.8 to 3.2 billion years ago.
image, North on the photo is nearly on the right end of the smaller crater on top of the photo
The crater rim has not been severely worn by crater impacts, and the inner wall possesses wide terraces. These structures have been somewhat smoothed by landslips and erosion, most likely induced by seismic activity. An influx of material has entered across the northern rim, flowing down toward the base. The crater floor is relatively smooth, with only minor hills and impact craters. In the middle is a complex central peak surrounded by lesser mounts. The main peak rises to a height of 2.0 kilometers above the surrounding floor.

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 Piccolomini.
PiccolominiLatitudeLongitudeDiameter
A26.4° S30.4° E16 km
B25.8° S30.5° E12 km
C27.6° S31.1° E26 km
D26.9° S32.2° E17 km
E26.1° S31.8° E18 km
F26.3° S31.8° E72 km
G27.2° S34.7° E18 km
H27.9° S27.6° E9 km
J25.0° S30.1° E28 km
K25.7° S29.7° E8 km
L26.1° S33.7° E12 km
M27.8° S31.8° E23 km
N27.3° S26.2° E9 km
O26.6° S30.5° E11 km
P30.4° S35.9° E12 km
Q30.8° S36.4° E14 km
R29.3° S35.3° E16 km
S31.6° S34.1° E21 km
T28.5° S29.0° E8 km
W26.8° S29.2° E6 km
X26.9° S31.5° E8 km