Strassmann (crater)

Strassmann (crater) is a relatively small lunar impact crater located on the Moon's far side, within the expansive Mare Moscoviense. It is named for the German chemist Fritz Strassmann, who co-discovered nuclear fission. The crater is a simple, bowl-shaped formation with a sharp-edged rim and an interior floor that lacks a central peak.

Description

Strassmann is situated in the northern hemisphere of the lunar far side, to the northwest of the larger, distinctive crater Komarov. The surrounding terrain is part of the Mare Moscoviense basin, a region of dark basaltic plains, though Strassmann itself lies on rougher, more heavily cratered highland material bordering the mare. The crater's inner walls are symmetrical and slope down uniformly to a small, flat floor. It has not been significantly degraded by subsequent impacts, indicating it is a relatively young formation within the Copernican or late Eratosthenian geological systems. Nearby notable features include the crater Bhabha to the south and the outer ramparts of Mare Moscoviense to the southeast.

Satellite craters

By convention, smaller craters associated with Strassmann are identified on lunar maps by placing a letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Strassmann. These satellite craters provide context for the regional impact history. No officially designated satellite craters of Strassmann are listed in the definitive catalog by the International Astronomical Union (IAU), suggesting it is a relatively isolated formation without prominent secondary impacts bearing its name. The area, however, contains numerous small, unnamed craters that are part of the broader ejecta blanket from the Moscoviense basin and other large basin-forming events.

Etymology

The crater was officially named for Fritz Strassmann by the International Astronomical Union in 1970, during a period when many far-side features were being systematically cataloged. Strassmann, alongside Otto Hahn and Lise Meitner, was instrumental in the 1938 discovery of nuclear fission, a breakthrough that led to the development of nuclear energy and weapons. His name joins those of other scientists and explorers on the Moon, such as Joliot and Fermi, reflecting the IAU's tradition of honoring contributors to the physical sciences. The approval of the name followed the missions of the Luna programme and the Apollo program, which enabled detailed mapping of the lunar far side.

Related features

Strassmann is part of the geological context of the Mare Moscoviense region, one of the few major maria on the lunar far side. This region was first imaged by the Soviet Luna 3 probe in 1959. Studies of craters like Strassmann contribute to understanding the stratigraphy and bombardment history of this basin. Other named craters in the general vicinity include Titov, Feoktistov, and the aforementioned Komarov, many of which honor figures from the Soviet space program and international science. The area was also observed in detail by missions like Clementine and the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, which have provided high-resolution data on its topography and composition. Category:Impact craters on the Moon