Home > Amundsen (crater)

Amundsen is a large lunar impact crater located near the south pole of the Moon. It lies along the southern lunar limb, and so is viewed from the side by an observer on the Earth. To the northwest is Scott crater , a formation of similar dimensions that is named for another Antarctic explorer.

The rim of Admundsen crater is slightly distended along the southern edge, and the terraced inner surface is wider at that point than eslewhere along the outer wall. The crater overlaps a smaller crater formation to the northwest, and 'Amundsen A' is attached to the northern rim. Just to the south of Amundsen is the smaller Faustini crater .

The inner floor is relatively flat, with a pair of central peaks near the mid-point. Much of the crater floor is cloaked in shadow during the lunar day, with only the southern floor and the central peaks receiving sunlight.

Satellite craters

By convention these features are identified on Lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater mid-point that is closest to Amundsen crater.