Capella is a lunar impact crater in diameter that lies to the north of the Mare Nectaris, in a rugged region with many small impact craters. It intrudes slightly into the eastern rim of the crater Isidorus, a feature only slightly smaller in diameter.
The outer circumferential wall of Capella is low but relatively thick and irregular, with a large promontory intruding on the south-eastern side. The crater is crossed by a deep rift, the Vallis Capella, which passes directly through Capella from the north rim through the southeast side of the wall, and extends out both sides for a combined distance of 110 kilometers. This feature was formed by a chain of craters. In the middle of the crater is a wide, round peak rising 1.2 km above the crater floor, with a craterlet at the top. The western side of the crater is dotted with impact debris, forming clusters of small hills.
This crater was named after Roman astronomer Martianus Capella (c. A.D. 400-unkn). Its designation was officially adopted by the International Astronomical Union in 1935.
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 Capella.
CapellaLatitudeLongitudeDiameterA7.6° S37.2° E13 kmB9.4° S36.8° E10 kmC5.7° S36.3° E11 kmD6.7° S37.6° E8 kmE7.5° S37.7° E16 kmF9.2° S35.4° E14 kmG6.8° S36.9° E12 kmH8.1° S37.4° E9 kmJ9.4° S36.0° E9 kmM4.4° S37.0° E12 kmR6.0° S35.2° E7 kmT6.9° S34.2° E6 km
References Shows the region around Capella and discusses Capella Valley.
Reprint:
External links Capella, the-moon.us