Kuiper ( ) is a small lunar impact crater in a relatively featureless part of the Mare Cognitum. On the lunar geologic timescale, this formation dates to the Copernican period. It is a circular, cup-shaped feature with only some minor wear. The lava-flooded crater Bonpland lies to the east at the edge of the Mare Cognitum.
This crater was named after Dutch-American astronomer Gerard Kuiper in 1976. Kuiper was the Project Scientist for the Ranger program. It was previously identified as Bonpland E.
To the east-southeast of Kuiper crater is the crash landing site of the Ranger 7 probe, the first American spacecraft to make high resolution close-up photographs of the Moon.
References
Sources
External links
Kuiper at The Moon Wiki LTO-6D2 Kuiper — L&PI topographic map