Malapert (crater)

Malapert

Lunar Orbiter 4 image with north at top. Malapert Mountain is the bright peak near bottom center.
Coordinates	84°54′S 12°54′E / 84.9°S 12.9°E / -84.9; 12.9
Diameter	69 km
Depth	Unknown
Colongitude	0° at sunrise
Eponym	Charles Malapert[1]

Malapert is a lunar impact crater that lies near the south pole of the Moon, named for 17th century astronomer Charles Malapert.^[2] From the Earth this formation is viewed from the side, limiting the amount of detail that can be seen. The crater is also illuminated at very low angles, so that parts of the interior remain in almost constant darkness. The nearest craters of note are Cabeus to the west, and Shoemaker to the south-southeast and nearer to the south pole of the Moon.

The rim of Malapert forms an irregular ring of peaks around the interior floor. The western side of the rim is overlain by what appear to be impact craters. There are also small craters overlying the southeastern rim. Much of the interior and details of the rim remain hidden by shadows.

The southwestern part of the rim forms part of a 5-km-high rise in the surface that has been unofficially designated Malapert Mountain. This ridge appears wider along a line running roughly east–west, although details of the back side are hidden by shadows. The peak of this ridge lies almost exactly along 0° longitude, and it has the unusual attribute of lying within sight of both the Earth and the crater Shackleton at the south pole.